I would like to know if anyone has some good ideas for de-powering a spilt backstayed B&R rig. We sail in winds form 10 to 25 knots. I find I have to reef after 15-18 knots in order to have a controled helm. On my previous C&C I would just apply more backstay pressure and mainsheet pressure. I have a regular vang and a friend said get a solid vang to flatten the main. Any ideas?
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John
Ideas
No answers, just ideas... 1) Adjustable back stay? 2) Mast rake? 3) De-power by moving main traveler down? 4) Easier reefing system, controlled from cockpit. 5) Reef at dockside, easier to shake out a reef under sail than put one in. There are those (racers) that envy your rig.
No answers, just ideas... 1) Adjustable back stay? 2) Mast rake? 3) De-power by moving main traveler down? 4) Easier reefing system, controlled from cockpit. 5) Reef at dockside, easier to shake out a reef under sail than put one in. There are those (racers) that envy your rig.
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Greg Stebbins
Per what I've read.....
Your problem is...your sailing a 34. The boat has a lot of sail and carries it's ballast relatively high (per PS). I think reefing is your only solution for higher winds. However, in light winds, the 34 is a true terror and that's the trade-off. P.s. I often wonder around in high winds in my old 23 by luffing the main. I don't know if it's recommended on a 34 as it's delicate work and requires absolute concentration. Greg H23 Faster-
Your problem is...your sailing a 34. The boat has a lot of sail and carries it's ballast relatively high (per PS). I think reefing is your only solution for higher winds. However, in light winds, the 34 is a true terror and that's the trade-off. P.s. I often wonder around in high winds in my old 23 by luffing the main. I don't know if it's recommended on a 34 as it's delicate work and requires absolute concentration. Greg H23 Faster-
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Doug
More ideas
What about your headsail? Are you down to a #3 by the time you want to reef your main? If you're still flying a 130+ in med-heavy air, that might be a place to start instead of reefing main. As another poster stated, dropping your traveler decreases your angle to the wind and should keep her on her feet. The only way to control weather helm is to keep the max draft of the main in the front 45% of the sail. as the wind pipes up, the draft moves back. A tighter sail with forward draft is the answer. Tightest luff tension (halyard/cunningham) is a must as this brings the draft forward. Also, crank outhaul tight to lessen draft. If no adjustable backstay you may want to look at getting one to put some more bend in it (we have split w/block system and it works fine). Usually it amounts to blown out sails that can't keep draft foward or too loose luff tension (on our boat anyway) that created weather helm. Remember that you have a big rig and lots more sail than most 34s on the water. "First to reef has no greif" as they say. You obviously know sailing and have had other boats, I hope I didn't insult you by stating the obvious. We have been sailing our Hunter for a few years now and I thought I would tell you what has allowed us to keep up more sail when the wind starts blowing. New main (UK kevlar taped mylar batmain tape drive, we can tighten it to a blade), adjustable backstay, more purchase on outhaul, cunningham and using the traveler when it gets wild. Fair sailing! Doug
What about your headsail? Are you down to a #3 by the time you want to reef your main? If you're still flying a 130+ in med-heavy air, that might be a place to start instead of reefing main. As another poster stated, dropping your traveler decreases your angle to the wind and should keep her on her feet. The only way to control weather helm is to keep the max draft of the main in the front 45% of the sail. as the wind pipes up, the draft moves back. A tighter sail with forward draft is the answer. Tightest luff tension (halyard/cunningham) is a must as this brings the draft forward. Also, crank outhaul tight to lessen draft. If no adjustable backstay you may want to look at getting one to put some more bend in it (we have split w/block system and it works fine). Usually it amounts to blown out sails that can't keep draft foward or too loose luff tension (on our boat anyway) that created weather helm. Remember that you have a big rig and lots more sail than most 34s on the water. "First to reef has no greif" as they say. You obviously know sailing and have had other boats, I hope I didn't insult you by stating the obvious. We have been sailing our Hunter for a few years now and I thought I would tell you what has allowed us to keep up more sail when the wind starts blowing. New main (UK kevlar taped mylar batmain tape drive, we can tighten it to a blade), adjustable backstay, more purchase on outhaul, cunningham and using the traveler when it gets wild. Fair sailing! Doug
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Doug
Regarding Vang
We installed an Index Powervang and love it (it also eliminates topping lift hassle). But, as you know the vang is really only intended to hold the boom down off the wind. When sailing to weather it does the same thing as the mainsheet so that wouldn't do much for depowering above a broad reach. Is the head of your sail all the way up? If so, you really shouldnt need that much mainsheet to get that top batten paralell to the boom to flatten the sail. You can also ease off the mainsheet to let excess wind spill from the top of the main (twist off) and use your traveler to bring the boom up.
We installed an Index Powervang and love it (it also eliminates topping lift hassle). But, as you know the vang is really only intended to hold the boom down off the wind. When sailing to weather it does the same thing as the mainsheet so that wouldn't do much for depowering above a broad reach. Is the head of your sail all the way up? If so, you really shouldnt need that much mainsheet to get that top batten paralell to the boom to flatten the sail. You can also ease off the mainsheet to let excess wind spill from the top of the main (twist off) and use your traveler to bring the boom up.
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Derek Rowell
Fl;attening reef point?
My original H34 main has a pair of reefing grommets about one foot up from the foot, near the tack and clew. When I asked my sailmaker about them he said they were "flattening" reef points. The one near the tack looks like it could be used as a cunningham. I've never used them - does anybody know how they should be used? Derek Derek
My original H34 main has a pair of reefing grommets about one foot up from the foot, near the tack and clew. When I asked my sailmaker about them he said they were "flattening" reef points. The one near the tack looks like it could be used as a cunningham. I've never used them - does anybody know how they should be used? Derek Derek
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Doug
Flattening Reefs
Although we opted to have them omited on our new main, my understanding (and what Ive seen on other boats)of how flattening reefs work is to remove the "bag" (something you have with attached foot mains, as opposed to floating foot which attaches only to tack and clew)at the bottom of the sail without greatly reducing sail area like a typical reef point. This allows you to get a flatter sail for heavy air, thus the name.
Although we opted to have them omited on our new main, my understanding (and what Ive seen on other boats)of how flattening reefs work is to remove the "bag" (something you have with attached foot mains, as opposed to floating foot which attaches only to tack and clew)at the bottom of the sail without greatly reducing sail area like a typical reef point. This allows you to get a flatter sail for heavy air, thus the name.
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