I bought a 1979 37 cutter about a year ago, and it was setup as a sloop with a large jib and the clubsail tied off to the side. I'm thinking of switching back to the cutter configuration by replacing the jib with an original "yankey?" sail. Any ideas how this will affect overall speed? Thanks, Ken
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Yankee, go home
Ken: I've sailed a 37C for one year now, and find the boat likes both the Yankee and Staysail set to balance the helm and improve tracking. Most often, however, the staysail stays furled on the boom while we're day sailing because of the hassle involved in unfurling, hoisting, trimming, dropping, refurling, and covering this "little" sail. Boat speed is probably only slightly improved in light air with the staysail up. The jib will probably be faster if it has more sail area, which it probably does, and you don't fly the staysail. I'm considering the sloop alternative to get rid of the stay which makes frequent tacking a chore getting even the Yankee around. I'd consider using the furler to tack, but the old CDI Reefer II is more work than just horsing the sail around the stay. I'm in the process of deciding whether to eliminate the cutter rig and go sloop or buy a new headstay furler and fit the old one onto the staysail stay. With two furlers both sails would get more use, but as a sloop tacking would be a breeze.
Ken: I've sailed a 37C for one year now, and find the boat likes both the Yankee and Staysail set to balance the helm and improve tracking. Most often, however, the staysail stays furled on the boom while we're day sailing because of the hassle involved in unfurling, hoisting, trimming, dropping, refurling, and covering this "little" sail. Boat speed is probably only slightly improved in light air with the staysail up. The jib will probably be faster if it has more sail area, which it probably does, and you don't fly the staysail. I'm considering the sloop alternative to get rid of the stay which makes frequent tacking a chore getting even the Yankee around. I'd consider using the furler to tack, but the old CDI Reefer II is more work than just horsing the sail around the stay. I'm in the process of deciding whether to eliminate the cutter rig and go sloop or buy a new headstay furler and fit the old one onto the staysail stay. With two furlers both sails would get more use, but as a sloop tacking would be a breeze.
Staysail
This is my second year with a 1980 Hunter 37c. It has the original configuration. I like the option of the staysail, but I'd also like the option of not having it. My plan for the winter is to to get rid of the staysail boom and make the inner stay detachable so I can stow it alongside the mast when it's not in use. I'll switch to the staysail to a boomless, self-tacking sail. That gives me the option of using the staysail, which helps my boat point higher. (Plus, it's nice to use the staysail instead of the jib when it's above 25 knots.) But it also will let me put it away when I want to sail as a sloop.
This is my second year with a 1980 Hunter 37c. It has the original configuration. I like the option of the staysail, but I'd also like the option of not having it. My plan for the winter is to to get rid of the staysail boom and make the inner stay detachable so I can stow it alongside the mast when it's not in use. I'll switch to the staysail to a boomless, self-tacking sail. That gives me the option of using the staysail, which helps my boat point higher. (Plus, it's nice to use the staysail instead of the jib when it's above 25 knots.) But it also will let me put it away when I want to sail as a sloop.
Getting lazy Gary?
One season and you are going to make her "easier" to sail? I thought I was the old guy with the H37C!
I don't tack that often so it's not a problem getting the Yankee around the mid-stay. Lake Erie winds do that for me. And I like having the self-tacking staysail. I once considered a furler(ala Island Packet) for the staysail but now have decided it will be much easier to hank on a storm sail with the current rig. The staysail by itself is a good storm alternative. Even the new H470 has an inner stay with a hanked on sail(and no boom). I think the only reason to have a removable stay would be to fly a larger jib(which you don't need if you are not too lazy to raise the staysail).
One season and you are going to make her "easier" to sail? I thought I was the old guy with the H37C!
I don't tack that often so it's not a problem getting the Yankee around the mid-stay. Lake Erie winds do that for me. And I like having the self-tacking staysail. I once considered a furler(ala Island Packet) for the staysail but now have decided it will be much easier to hank on a storm sail with the current rig. The staysail by itself is a good storm alternative. Even the new H470 has an inner stay with a hanked on sail(and no boom). I think the only reason to have a removable stay would be to fly a larger jib(which you don't need if you are not too lazy to raise the staysail).Staysail, Stay!
The balance of the cutter rig is one of the best features of my 37c. She goes to weather like a freight train, and she points very well too. Cherubini designed her to behave under the cutter sail plan, and I think he knew what he was doing
The balance of the cutter rig is one of the best features of my 37c. She goes to weather like a freight train, and she points very well too. Cherubini designed her to behave under the cutter sail plan, and I think he knew what he was doing
Thanks for the advice.
I was hoping to hear that the yankee would pass across the midstay without assist., but its still got to be easier than assist. a large jib. I think I'll go with the yankee, and keep the jib stowed onboard.
I was hoping to hear that the yankee would pass across the midstay without assist., but its still got to be easier than assist. a large jib. I think I'll go with the yankee, and keep the jib stowed onboard.
SAIL CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
KEN, MY 1981 H37C IS THE FIRST CUTTER RIG I'VE OWNED. I'VE HAD EXPIERENCE IN MANY DIFFERENT SIZE AND CONFIGURATIONS OF SAILBOATS PREVIOUSLY, BUT THEY WERE ALL SLOOPS OR SINGLE SAIL BOATS. WHEN I BOUGHT PERSISTENCE, I WAS LOOKING FOR A SLOOP AS FIRST CHOICE AND A CUTTER (OR OTHER RIG) AS SECOND CHOICE. I'VE HAD THIS BOAT NOW FOR SEVEN SEASONS AND AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE CUTTER RIG. GOOD POINTS: 1.EASY FOR TWO PEOPLE TO HANDLE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO MAN-HANDLE A LARGE JIB, JENNY, ETC. 2. WORKS GREAT UP TO ABOUT 20 KNOTS WITH ALL SAILS UP. 20 KNOTS OR SO AND I PUT ONE REEF IN THE MAIN. ABOUT 25 KNOTS AND I ROLL UP ABOUT HALF OF THE YANKEE AND ONE REEF POINT IN THE MAIN. ABOVE 25 KNOTS AND I ROLL THE YANKEE ALL THE WAY UP AND RUN WITH JUST THE STAYSAIL AND THE MAIN AT THE SECOND REEFING POINT. I'VE NEVER USED THE THIRD REEFING POINT ON THE MAIN. I HAVE SAILED HER IN 30 KNOT STEADY WINDS WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WITH ALL THE ABOVE CONFIGURATIONS, THE HELM IS FAIRLY BALANCED REQUIRING NEITHER WINDWARD OR LEE OFFSET TO THE WHEEL. THE BEST HIGH WIND CONFIGURATION IS WITH SECOND REEF IN MAIN AND THE STAYSAIL ONLY. WITH THAT CONFIGURATION, YOU CAN SAIL HER WITH ONE FINGER AND THUMB ON THE WHEEL. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BOAT WHICH PERFORMED SO WELL IN SUCH A VARIETY OF WIND CONDITIONS. BAD POINTS: 1. I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO SAIL HER DOWNWIND IN LIGHT WIND (5 KNOTS OR LESS). IF I WANT TO TRY TO SAIL WING ON WING, I USUALLY DROP THE STAYSAIL. OTHERWISE, I SAIL OFF DIRECTLY DOWN WIND SOMEWHAT AND SHE DOES QUITE WELL. THE H37C DOES BEST ON A BROAD REACH. I HOPE TO PURCHASE A CRUISING SPINNACKER IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR LIGHT DOWN WIND USE. I HOPE I HAVEN'T BEEN TOO WORDY, BUT THIS BOAT, H37C, AT ABOUT 18,000 LBS WITH 7,000 LBS IN THE KEEL IS THE MOST STABLE BOAT I KNOW OF. AND, WITH WINDS ABOVE 7 OR 8 KNOTS OR SO, SHE'LL STAY WITH MANY LIGHTER MORE TENDER BOATS. THE MAJOR EXCEPTION IS THE H34 (ANOTHER CHERUBINI DESIGN). I JUST CAN'T CATCH BARRY OLSON (PER DIEM II) GOING UPWIND. TO SOME IT UP, I'D SUGGEST YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS BY KEEPING THE CUTTER RIG (YANKEE & STAYSAIL) AND HAVING ABOUT A 130% DECK SWEEPER JENNY AS WELL. ON CERTAIN DAYS, YOU COULD TEMPORARILY UNRIG THE MID-STAY AND USE THE JENNY. ON OTHER DAYS (15 KNOTS & UP) YOU COULD RIG THE CUTTER CONFIGURATION. DON'T FORGET THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A CRUISING SPINNACKER ON LIGHT WIND DAYS. BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR CHOICES, MERRILL
KEN, MY 1981 H37C IS THE FIRST CUTTER RIG I'VE OWNED. I'VE HAD EXPIERENCE IN MANY DIFFERENT SIZE AND CONFIGURATIONS OF SAILBOATS PREVIOUSLY, BUT THEY WERE ALL SLOOPS OR SINGLE SAIL BOATS. WHEN I BOUGHT PERSISTENCE, I WAS LOOKING FOR A SLOOP AS FIRST CHOICE AND A CUTTER (OR OTHER RIG) AS SECOND CHOICE. I'VE HAD THIS BOAT NOW FOR SEVEN SEASONS AND AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE CUTTER RIG. GOOD POINTS: 1.EASY FOR TWO PEOPLE TO HANDLE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO MAN-HANDLE A LARGE JIB, JENNY, ETC. 2. WORKS GREAT UP TO ABOUT 20 KNOTS WITH ALL SAILS UP. 20 KNOTS OR SO AND I PUT ONE REEF IN THE MAIN. ABOUT 25 KNOTS AND I ROLL UP ABOUT HALF OF THE YANKEE AND ONE REEF POINT IN THE MAIN. ABOVE 25 KNOTS AND I ROLL THE YANKEE ALL THE WAY UP AND RUN WITH JUST THE STAYSAIL AND THE MAIN AT THE SECOND REEFING POINT. I'VE NEVER USED THE THIRD REEFING POINT ON THE MAIN. I HAVE SAILED HER IN 30 KNOT STEADY WINDS WITH HIGHER GUSTS. WITH ALL THE ABOVE CONFIGURATIONS, THE HELM IS FAIRLY BALANCED REQUIRING NEITHER WINDWARD OR LEE OFFSET TO THE WHEEL. THE BEST HIGH WIND CONFIGURATION IS WITH SECOND REEF IN MAIN AND THE STAYSAIL ONLY. WITH THAT CONFIGURATION, YOU CAN SAIL HER WITH ONE FINGER AND THUMB ON THE WHEEL. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BOAT WHICH PERFORMED SO WELL IN SUCH A VARIETY OF WIND CONDITIONS. BAD POINTS: 1. I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO SAIL HER DOWNWIND IN LIGHT WIND (5 KNOTS OR LESS). IF I WANT TO TRY TO SAIL WING ON WING, I USUALLY DROP THE STAYSAIL. OTHERWISE, I SAIL OFF DIRECTLY DOWN WIND SOMEWHAT AND SHE DOES QUITE WELL. THE H37C DOES BEST ON A BROAD REACH. I HOPE TO PURCHASE A CRUISING SPINNACKER IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR LIGHT DOWN WIND USE. I HOPE I HAVEN'T BEEN TOO WORDY, BUT THIS BOAT, H37C, AT ABOUT 18,000 LBS WITH 7,000 LBS IN THE KEEL IS THE MOST STABLE BOAT I KNOW OF. AND, WITH WINDS ABOVE 7 OR 8 KNOTS OR SO, SHE'LL STAY WITH MANY LIGHTER MORE TENDER BOATS. THE MAJOR EXCEPTION IS THE H34 (ANOTHER CHERUBINI DESIGN). I JUST CAN'T CATCH BARRY OLSON (PER DIEM II) GOING UPWIND. TO SOME IT UP, I'D SUGGEST YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS BY KEEPING THE CUTTER RIG (YANKEE & STAYSAIL) AND HAVING ABOUT A 130% DECK SWEEPER JENNY AS WELL. ON CERTAIN DAYS, YOU COULD TEMPORARILY UNRIG THE MID-STAY AND USE THE JENNY. ON OTHER DAYS (15 KNOTS & UP) YOU COULD RIG THE CUTTER CONFIGURATION. DON'T FORGET THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A CRUISING SPINNACKER ON LIGHT WIND DAYS. BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR CHOICES, MERRILL
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