I seem to sail faster with a reef in. I have a Hunter 306 and I have never gone faster than 5.7 knots under full sail, most sails between 4.5 and 5.5 knots. Yesterday with 2 reefs in the main and the jib furled to the tell tales 7.2 knots, Thats the fastest this boat has ever gone. I have noticed this before. The boat seems to easily go into the 6 knot range under reef but not under full sail. These are GPS readings, Could this be rig tuning or am I just a crummy sailor. Thanks for all Your help, Jim
- Status
hull in water
when you are reefed you are putting less of the boat into the water and allowing the boat to sail faster because of less boat in the water. The more upright the vessel the faster you will sail.
when you are reefed you are putting less of the boat into the water and allowing the boat to sail faster because of less boat in the water. The more upright the vessel the faster you will sail.
Depends on Wind
My 290 same boat has done 6.5 to 7 knots,I reef my main when the boat is over powered and when wife is yelling that boat is heeling and uncomfortable. I have also reached 6.5 both with full main up and reefed,it depends on how much wind. I also use the traveler on the arch alot,practice your sail triming more in all conditions until you get the feel of the boat with your gps or knot meter. nick
My 290 same boat has done 6.5 to 7 knots,I reef my main when the boat is over powered and when wife is yelling that boat is heeling and uncomfortable. I have also reached 6.5 both with full main up and reefed,it depends on how much wind. I also use the traveler on the arch alot,practice your sail triming more in all conditions until you get the feel of the boat with your gps or knot meter. nick
Jim
All sails have a lift/drag ratio. The more 'blown out' a sail is the higher the drag and the lower the ratio. Without getting more technical, you are looking for as low a drag function as you can. Reefing early means that the ratio is going down very quickly. A newer flatter main will maitain that higher ratio much longer giving you much better boat speed over a wider wind range. Reefing gives you a flatter sail and therefore a lower ratio, so the boat goes faster and stays upright better. Furling will do the same to a point. As the jib is furled it becomes a very inefficient foil. Therefore you should not furl your sails more than 15% or that ratio begins to do the same.
All sails have a lift/drag ratio. The more 'blown out' a sail is the higher the drag and the lower the ratio. Without getting more technical, you are looking for as low a drag function as you can. Reefing early means that the ratio is going down very quickly. A newer flatter main will maitain that higher ratio much longer giving you much better boat speed over a wider wind range. Reefing gives you a flatter sail and therefore a lower ratio, so the boat goes faster and stays upright better. Furling will do the same to a point. As the jib is furled it becomes a very inefficient foil. Therefore you should not furl your sails more than 15% or that ratio begins to do the same.
- Status