Chicken wing with a 356?? How to?

[Jimongee]

We are sailing on Lake MI tomorrow. We have 70 miles to cover with a 15 kt wind direct on the stern all day. Our SV is a 356. I don't have a spinnaker. On my old 22 Hunter we successfully did wing-to-wing and sailed at near hull sp all day under these conditions. However, the 356 main won't go past the swept back shrouds and with no pole I have no idea how to get the foresail to fill on the opposite side of the main. Does someone with more experience than us have a tip? And, tacking is not a great option due to the distance and reef filled route. Thanks to all who respond...
Jim n Kathy
SV SamiDog

 

[Bob R.]

The cabin top fairleads on the H356 won't give you the sheeting angle you need to keep the jib filled for deep downwind sailing. I posted an idea about a month ago about putting snatch blocks on the spinnaker loops at the base of the front legs of the arch and running the jib sheets through them and back to the cabin top winches for trimming. You will need longer jib sheet lines than the stock lines that came with the boat to do this.

No advise on the mainsail. I let it out until the sail just touches the spreaders an leave it there.

Good Luck on your trip.

 

[heart of gold]

I had an awesome downwind sail the other day in 20knots wing on wing. As Bob did, I brought the boom over till the sail was just touching the spreaders. I then held it there with a preventer lead back to the cockpit that I could let go quickly if needed, headed off the wind slightly to get the headsail filling, brought her back to DDW and off we went. This point of sail demands constant attention but it sure is fun. I was DDW for nearly 5 miles before my course change so that I was back on a reach. One other thing I have found when heading on a broad reach or deeper is that putting a reef in the main helps expose the headsail or spinnaker to more wind. But then my boat has a masthead rig. On a fractional you could possible run a big genny or asym?

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

This will probably trigger a lot of comments and it is not really a recommendation because it can get treacherous, but in the same situation I sometimes will sail with the main almost touching the spreaders, but on the wrong side, i.e. getting the wind from the opposite of its natural direction. I unhook my boom vang and hook it up on the toerail with an angle to make a preventer. Then wing on wing with the jib, which is then then easier to keep full, with the jib sheet car kept as far back as twist will allow. It is faster but as I said, because accidental gybes are a constant menace, I will only suggest you try it if skipper can really concentrate and the crew can release the boom vang quickly (mine is led to the cockpit) while keeping out of the way of the boom if it does come across. Keeping the boat on track it it does is not hard but you will loose speed. Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[Ken13559]

Put a preventer on the boom and sail it slightly by the lee. That should fill the headsail nicely. It wont be dead down wind.

 

[Stretch]

I regularly get over 7 knots wingnwing at 15 knots, using Claude and Ken's technique of sailing 10 degrees off DDW. I like to sheet in the main sail a bit more to fill the 130 jib so the aft swept stays don't get in the way. I have set my A sail wing and wing as well.

Chicken wing n wing is taking the Admiral and 2 dogs for a sleigh ride at 8plus knots in a 25 knot tailwind, for 4 hours wing n'wing, in a 6 ft sea and a 3 ft cross sea, from Gibsons to Welcome Passage, and not having her get sick or scared.

 

[Jimongee]

Thanks to all ...I will put your info to the test at next opportuniy.
jim