Ok! It's been twenty years since I sailed on a regular basis. We are empty nesters and just purchased a "89" C22 (Madness)in excellent condition with the thought of re-living the excitment of sailing. Either I have grown conservative, old or just plain chicken. When I heel to the other side of 12 degrees I freak out! Last weekend's weather was fantastic, 72 degrees with a fresh breeze from the south. I was just cruising along and the wind started to shift between the SW and SE with small gust that pushed me to 15 to 18 degrees. I would adjust the mainsheet and steer windward to right myself. Well, the next thing I knew I was in a spin, boom swinging, sails flopping and I was a wreak. I compleated a ful 360 before I gain control without hesitation I quickly lowered the main, rolled in the genoa, fired up the Merc and motored to the slip. By the time I reached the slip the winds were at 18 - 20 knots and kepted me in. My fear is getting knock down in our beautiful cruiser. Let me know your thoughts, thank you.
- Status
Practice, practice
Keep practicing, and learn how to sail her with different sail configurations. 20 knots calls for a reefed main at least, though, and probably a little furling on the jib. I think as time goes on your confidence will return.
Keep practicing, and learn how to sail her with different sail configurations. 20 knots calls for a reefed main at least, though, and probably a little furling on the jib. I think as time goes on your confidence will return.
Hit the books....
Time to invest in a good sailing manual like Annapolis Book of Seamaship or at least a sail trim guide. Learn to use the traveller in addition to the mainsheet. Flatten the sails as you feel the boat getting overpowered. Reef next. If you aren't sure, reef at the dock.. Old, baggy sails can become difficult to trim...consider having your main recut, or even replaced if it is difficult to trim effectively. Lake sailing can be challenging, wind conditions can change rapidlyl. stay alert!
Time to invest in a good sailing manual like Annapolis Book of Seamaship or at least a sail trim guide. Learn to use the traveller in addition to the mainsheet. Flatten the sails as you feel the boat getting overpowered. Reef next. If you aren't sure, reef at the dock.. Old, baggy sails can become difficult to trim...consider having your main recut, or even replaced if it is difficult to trim effectively. Lake sailing can be challenging, wind conditions can change rapidlyl. stay alert!
i dont mean to laugh...but
i can see myself doing the same thing when i go out...will be my very first time sailing with this size boat, but the last time i did sail was like 25 years ago in a six ft sabot...oh boy oh boy,, i can't wait...good luck.. i'll be rootin for ya..
i can see myself doing the same thing when i go out...will be my very first time sailing with this size boat, but the last time i did sail was like 25 years ago in a six ft sabot...oh boy oh boy,, i can't wait...good luck.. i'll be rootin for ya..
I agree Hit Books!!!
Martin, Sounds like you had strong weather helm and the boat rounded up on you, very scary(as in VERY SCARY) in a Cat. 22 boat I do not belive boat will knock down on you. Boat starts to heel bad! "When in doubt let it out" let main free you will come back center fast. Take the boat out and sail it with just Main. and get better feel Cat. 22 is a real pussy cat on just main. Tack will not feel real good so make sure you have plenty of room away from any boats or other stuff when you play around to get feel! Do not take boat in 18 to 20 knots yet ,you will really scare your self! May want to take a friend that knows his stuff or get Instructor to get use to boat with you. You did right thing. Other way is sail with reef in and jib hanked on ,the reef point will also make boat very stable in light winds, (as in slug) but thats ok! May want to leave first mate home till you get more use to boat or may end your new found sailing love fast! Good Luck congrads on boat good choice on Cat 22 Jack , Cat. 22 1979 Fin Keel,Sailing San Diego
Martin, Sounds like you had strong weather helm and the boat rounded up on you, very scary(as in VERY SCARY) in a Cat. 22 boat I do not belive boat will knock down on you. Boat starts to heel bad! "When in doubt let it out" let main free you will come back center fast. Take the boat out and sail it with just Main. and get better feel Cat. 22 is a real pussy cat on just main. Tack will not feel real good so make sure you have plenty of room away from any boats or other stuff when you play around to get feel! Do not take boat in 18 to 20 knots yet ,you will really scare your self! May want to take a friend that knows his stuff or get Instructor to get use to boat with you. You did right thing. Other way is sail with reef in and jib hanked on ,the reef point will also make boat very stable in light winds, (as in slug) but thats ok! May want to leave first mate home till you get more use to boat or may end your new found sailing love fast! Good Luck congrads on boat good choice on Cat 22 Jack , Cat. 22 1979 Fin Keel,Sailing San Diego
Not yet promoted to novice
but in my experience, my c-22 prefers more headsail than main and will start to fight you at the helm (trying to round up or "pivot" around the mast) in moderate gusts. At this point we will reef the main (or if we have a small jib up we may even drop it altogether and fly only the jib.) The last sail of last season we ended up sailing this way as the gusts were very unpredictable. As a matter of fact, in an attempt to cross the bay, we never made it out of our small river due to the nervousness of the crew (and captain). I don't worry about what the others are doing or are capable of, we bought the boat to have fun, not scare the kids to death. (That'll come when they find out how little they'll get when I'm gone!)
but in my experience, my c-22 prefers more headsail than main and will start to fight you at the helm (trying to round up or "pivot" around the mast) in moderate gusts. At this point we will reef the main (or if we have a small jib up we may even drop it altogether and fly only the jib.) The last sail of last season we ended up sailing this way as the gusts were very unpredictable. As a matter of fact, in an attempt to cross the bay, we never made it out of our small river due to the nervousness of the crew (and captain). I don't worry about what the others are doing or are capable of, we bought the boat to have fun, not scare the kids to death. (That'll come when they find out how little they'll get when I'm gone!)
We sailed a C22 for about three years
and by trial and error found that she sailed best with about 10-12* of heel. They like to be pretty flat. Around 12 kts of wind (when whitecaps start to form) it was time to reef the main. As the wind picked up more, we would then switch to a smaller headsail (from a 150 down to a 110, those were our only options
). At that point, we were good to about 18 kts. Anything stronger, we headed for the dock. Too much adrenalin at that point. I'm a big chicken!
and by trial and error found that she sailed best with about 10-12* of heel. They like to be pretty flat. Around 12 kts of wind (when whitecaps start to form) it was time to reef the main. As the wind picked up more, we would then switch to a smaller headsail (from a 150 down to a 110, those were our only options
). At that point, we were good to about 18 kts. Anything stronger, we headed for the dock. Too much adrenalin at that point. I'm a big chicken!- Status