downwind sailing in light air and otherwise

[Dan]

We need all the help we can get in regards optimum sailing of 26.5 under all conditions, espesially off the wind.We welcome any advise re:rigging trim,sail trim,sail design,weight distribution,tactics,etc.We have been modestly successful upwind, but know we can do better.We have the winged keel; any information regarding other keel configurations is welcome.Please advise.Your brother of the Hunt,Dan

 

[nelson Brinckehroff]

short sheeting reaching/downwind

After 2 years on my 96 water ballast H26, I found a great but cheap way to speed up this small jibbed boat: running a short sheet from the jib clew back to the stern pulpit stanchions. I'm getting up to half knot faster speed on reaches because the aft-pull rather than the mast-a-beam jib sheet block allows for better wind adhesion/lift on the jib, making it far more efficient. Someone also suggested putting more wind indicators on the jib further aft to show the effect. My present experiment used a dog-leash like shackle and twine. I'm going to try better sheets. I presently call it my "secret weapon"!Try it. I'm doing much better racing after trying it. It basically overcomes one of the limitations of this boat.