I see a lot of information on sailing the boat upwind, but not much about the downwind leg. What is the most efficent way to sail the Catalina 22 downwind?
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Joe Barrett
Use a whisker pole
When the wind is at or aft of the beam always use a whisker pole(forespar the best)and a topping lift for the pole to keep the mainsail from blanketing the jib. Wheather you go on a broad reach or wing and wing dead downwind will depend on your destination and sea conditions. The boat should be a little faster on a broad reach, wing and wing is a litle slower and hotter but it depends where you want to go!
When the wind is at or aft of the beam always use a whisker pole(forespar the best)and a topping lift for the pole to keep the mainsail from blanketing the jib. Wheather you go on a broad reach or wing and wing dead downwind will depend on your destination and sea conditions. The boat should be a little faster on a broad reach, wing and wing is a litle slower and hotter but it depends where you want to go!
D
Doug T.
Topping lift for whisker pole?
How will the topping lift help "...to keep the mainsail from blanketing the jib"? Actually, my pole doesn't even have an attachment point for a topping lift along its length. I guess you could attach one to the clew end, but I'm not quite sure how much good it would do. Can you please explain a little more? Also, has anyone used a whisker pole on a cruising spinnaker? It would have to be mighty long, and that would make it pretty heavy.
How will the topping lift help "...to keep the mainsail from blanketing the jib"? Actually, my pole doesn't even have an attachment point for a topping lift along its length. I guess you could attach one to the clew end, but I'm not quite sure how much good it would do. Can you please explain a little more? Also, has anyone used a whisker pole on a cruising spinnaker? It would have to be mighty long, and that would make it pretty heavy.
G
George B.
Downwind Trim
Mike, When the apparent wind moves aft of the beam, aerodynamic lift becomes less of a factor and simple air pressure on sails takes over. Sailing dead down wind most likely will not give you your fastest VMG because the main cannot be squared to the wind due to the lower shrouds getting in the way. Most likely, you will not be able to go deeper than 160 to 170 degrees off wind. If your leeward mark is DDW, figure on doing a couple of jibes - you'll still be faster than if you sailed the rhumb line. Tie a tell tale over your head on the back stay and steer/trim to it. Your leech tell tales should either stream out or curled to leeward. Main sail trim: The boom should be perpendicular to the wind in order to present the greatest surface area to the wind. Ease out the traveller first, then the mainsheet. Vang in to lower the boom and keep the sail flat. Ease the halyard and outhaul. Jib trim: Ease halyard . Move the fair lead up and out to widest part of the boat. Unfortunately, the ideal position for the fair lead is several feet out over the water so a pole is needed to set the jib during wing on wing. As a starting point, the pole should be 80-90% of the sail's LP. There is no real compression force on the pole so it can be considerably lighter than a normal spinnaker pole. The pole should be perpendicular to the mast. A topping lift will keep the weight of the pole from pulling down on the jib's clew and can make the jibing process easier. (This is more important if you are using a spinnaker or large whisker pole. Not so important if you are using a "jib stick".) I trim the pole back with a guy so it is on the same plane as the boom (and off the forward lower shrouds). I make my fine adjustments with the jib sheet. The guy and topping lift will allow you to trip the loaded jib sheet from the pole, jibe, then reset the pole on the other side without having the pole bang around on the headstay or deck. I also try to trim the boat's balance by moving the crew slightly forward and induce a little heel to reduce the wetted surface. I used to crank up my 22's centerboard to reduce wetted surface. You will still have enough of a skeg to steer the boat. Rig a preventor on the main if there is chop or rolling swells to reduce the risk of an accidental jibe. Most cruising spinnakers are designed to reach and do not perform well poled out. I never had much luck poling out an asymmetrical.
Mike, When the apparent wind moves aft of the beam, aerodynamic lift becomes less of a factor and simple air pressure on sails takes over. Sailing dead down wind most likely will not give you your fastest VMG because the main cannot be squared to the wind due to the lower shrouds getting in the way. Most likely, you will not be able to go deeper than 160 to 170 degrees off wind. If your leeward mark is DDW, figure on doing a couple of jibes - you'll still be faster than if you sailed the rhumb line. Tie a tell tale over your head on the back stay and steer/trim to it. Your leech tell tales should either stream out or curled to leeward. Main sail trim: The boom should be perpendicular to the wind in order to present the greatest surface area to the wind. Ease out the traveller first, then the mainsheet. Vang in to lower the boom and keep the sail flat. Ease the halyard and outhaul. Jib trim: Ease halyard . Move the fair lead up and out to widest part of the boat. Unfortunately, the ideal position for the fair lead is several feet out over the water so a pole is needed to set the jib during wing on wing. As a starting point, the pole should be 80-90% of the sail's LP. There is no real compression force on the pole so it can be considerably lighter than a normal spinnaker pole. The pole should be perpendicular to the mast. A topping lift will keep the weight of the pole from pulling down on the jib's clew and can make the jibing process easier. (This is more important if you are using a spinnaker or large whisker pole. Not so important if you are using a "jib stick".) I trim the pole back with a guy so it is on the same plane as the boom (and off the forward lower shrouds). I make my fine adjustments with the jib sheet. The guy and topping lift will allow you to trip the loaded jib sheet from the pole, jibe, then reset the pole on the other side without having the pole bang around on the headstay or deck. I also try to trim the boat's balance by moving the crew slightly forward and induce a little heel to reduce the wetted surface. I used to crank up my 22's centerboard to reduce wetted surface. You will still have enough of a skeg to steer the boat. Rig a preventor on the main if there is chop or rolling swells to reduce the risk of an accidental jibe. Most cruising spinnakers are designed to reach and do not perform well poled out. I never had much luck poling out an asymmetrical.
J
Joe Barrett
Topping Lift
You can attach a topping lift to the outer end of pole with a schakel or ring that you can install by drilling two holes and rivet into place.Attach the inboard end of the pole to a padeye on the mast, the other side to the jib sheet you are using.The topping lift will keep the pole from rising and keep the power in the sail in a puff, and keep it from drooping in a lull.The pole will present more sail area to the wind on a broad reach and help keep it from being blanketed by the main.
You can attach a topping lift to the outer end of pole with a schakel or ring that you can install by drilling two holes and rivet into place.Attach the inboard end of the pole to a padeye on the mast, the other side to the jib sheet you are using.The topping lift will keep the pole from rising and keep the power in the sail in a puff, and keep it from drooping in a lull.The pole will present more sail area to the wind on a broad reach and help keep it from being blanketed by the main.
D
Doug T.
Huh?
How can a topping lift keep the pole from rising??? By definition, a "topping lift" prevents a horizontal spar from going down, not up. (Like the topping lift on your boom or on your spinnaker pole.) Do you mean a "downhaul"??? Or perhaps a line rigged something like a barberhauler? (Hmmm... that gives me an idea...)
How can a topping lift keep the pole from rising??? By definition, a "topping lift" prevents a horizontal spar from going down, not up. (Like the topping lift on your boom or on your spinnaker pole.) Do you mean a "downhaul"??? Or perhaps a line rigged something like a barberhauler? (Hmmm... that gives me an idea...)
J
Joe Barrett
Topping Lift
Sorry Doug, Yes once you get the pole flying the topping lift keeps the pole and sail steady , we will take the loose jib sheet and cleat it to the cleat on the bow to function as a downhaul if choppy or gusty.
Sorry Doug, Yes once you get the pole flying the topping lift keeps the pole and sail steady , we will take the loose jib sheet and cleat it to the cleat on the bow to function as a downhaul if choppy or gusty.
D
Don Guillette
Mike: Your right, there is not much written about sailing a boat downwind. I know because I researched it and had a devil of time finding expert advise on the subject. My results can be found at http://kindred-spirit.net where you will find an 11 page article I wrote on the subject, which you might find helpful. Feel free to print it off if you find the data useful.
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