Still learning and trying to get to know my 86 H31 I have done a bit of racing, Last week end, in 15 to 20 kts and a downwind start with the wind just forward of the Port quarter we experienced 3 hairy moments when the boat was pushed in a curve to port and would not steer back to stbd until the wind from the main had been dumped. This seemed to happen just as a roler was lifting the stern, but I'm not 100% sure of that. Other boats broached and 1 guy went into the water from a Cal 20. Other than just baling out and dumping the main thus losing boat speed, what were my options. I was running a 135 genny and no reef in the main.
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Tell the race committee
to have upwind starts. On downwind starts every boat is 2 to 3 times as wide plus there is no good way to depower the boat. I am not familiar with the 86 Hunter's but I don't think you had too much sail up. If the wind was off your port aft quarter than the waves were probably there as well. This would push your stern to stbd and bow to port. If a wave comes from behind and for a moment the water is moving the same speed as the boat then the rudder is useless until boat speed and wave speed is different. Tell the race committee to have upwind starts even if it for just a mile. John McWilliams S/V Dawn Treader H380
to have upwind starts. On downwind starts every boat is 2 to 3 times as wide plus there is no good way to depower the boat. I am not familiar with the 86 Hunter's but I don't think you had too much sail up. If the wind was off your port aft quarter than the waves were probably there as well. This would push your stern to stbd and bow to port. If a wave comes from behind and for a moment the water is moving the same speed as the boat then the rudder is useless until boat speed and wave speed is different. Tell the race committee to have upwind starts even if it for just a mile. John McWilliams S/V Dawn Treader H380
Crazy Start
I've never heard of a race starting on a down-wind leg unless it's a race from one point to another. They always start up-wind and finsh up-wind in our club.
I've never heard of a race starting on a down-wind leg unless it's a race from one point to another. They always start up-wind and finsh up-wind in our club.
Circle Route
No option on the start, it was a "round the island" race and there was only one way to go due to currents. It certianly was intereting...........
No option on the start, it was a "round the island" race and there was only one way to go due to currents. It certianly was intereting...........
Upwind start option.
Even on an around the island race you can have an upwind start. Just set a marker 1/4 of a nautical mile upwind for a turn unto the desired circumnavigation course. Downwind starts as you have experienced can be unsafe and take away from the competition. Talk to your race committe.
Even on an around the island race you can have an upwind start. Just set a marker 1/4 of a nautical mile upwind for a turn unto the desired circumnavigation course. Downwind starts as you have experienced can be unsafe and take away from the competition. Talk to your race committe.
Competitors
...have no say what soever in the course the committee chooses. Having said that no matter the starting point of sail you will inevitably face this kind of seas and wind. When a wave moves under the stern of your boat, it can lift the rudder clear of the water effectively making steering impossible. The helmsman needs to be aware of the following seas and drive the boat down the face of a wave as if surfing. If the sails are trimmed properly and the sail plan balanced, the boat will not experience a major rounding up attitude. It sounds as though your main sail was giving you all of your drive with the genoa hardly doing any work therefore having an unbalanced sail plan. Next time on a broad reach try setting the genoa on a pole and pushing the clew far enough forward to create a driving force in the genoa to compensate for the main. The boats helm will become more neutral and you will have much better boat speed.
...have no say what soever in the course the committee chooses. Having said that no matter the starting point of sail you will inevitably face this kind of seas and wind. When a wave moves under the stern of your boat, it can lift the rudder clear of the water effectively making steering impossible. The helmsman needs to be aware of the following seas and drive the boat down the face of a wave as if surfing. If the sails are trimmed properly and the sail plan balanced, the boat will not experience a major rounding up attitude. It sounds as though your main sail was giving you all of your drive with the genoa hardly doing any work therefore having an unbalanced sail plan. Next time on a broad reach try setting the genoa on a pole and pushing the clew far enough forward to create a driving force in the genoa to compensate for the main. The boats helm will become more neutral and you will have much better boat speed.
Pizzazz
Notice that your boom is centerline and yet you are sailing off the wind. The Catalina in the background is beating to weather and has her boom in the correct location. If you would sheet the main a little tighter and drop the traveler down the boat would sail flatter with better boat speed.
Notice that your boom is centerline and yet you are sailing off the wind. The Catalina in the background is beating to weather and has her boom in the correct location. If you would sheet the main a little tighter and drop the traveler down the boat would sail flatter with better boat speed.
OK
Is that right? MMMMMM. Well I waxed tha C-30. I'm doing 6.25 kts.The main is just fine thank you. Having fun.
Is that right? MMMMMM. Well I waxed tha C-30. I'm doing 6.25 kts.The main is just fine thank you. Having fun.
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