First Sail

[dj2210]

Well after owning my 1990 C30 for 3 weeks and after finishing the compression post block repair, engine maintenance, and some general cleaning and sorting, I finally got out for a sail. We had a cool front move though bringing some 70 degree temperatures and some wind. Comparing my C27 to the C30. I got to remember I'm behind a wheel and not a tiller- that whole left/right thing. Also since the C30 weighs more it is less tipsy in gusts. It's a little farther reach to adjust the main sheet and traveler (My C27 is end boom sheeting). C30 has much more deck space to go forward. I have the list to port and wheel pulling to port under power. Need to replace running rigging and the list goes on. All in all I like it.

 

[drumbeater]

That's the boat I'd like to get into in a year or two.

 

[Bad Obsession]

They are capable boats. Mine has seen some horrible weather and it did great.

It is amazing how much of a difference 3 feet makes in boat size. You will find that you have to reef early if you have a tall rig.

 

[dj2210]

Inland lake sailing we tend to get gusts and I usually depower the main or let it flog until the gust is past unless the wind is relatively constantly strong then I will reef. Few and far In between are those days. I do have a question though.
My boom at the gooseneck is fixed with a couple of screws in the mast slot. I would like to move it up a couple of inches. Has anyone done this? It it appears to be about 2-3 inch below the loading slot and there is around 6 inches yet to raise the sail at the top. My ultimate goal to to raise the boom a bit as it seems low.
On my C27 the gooseneck slides in the mast slot.

 

[Coriolisbc]

Congrats on the first sail, and now you can stand upright down below, and have more crew aboard, enjoy!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

DJ,

Way to go dude.........get sailing.

The C30 (speaking for my 1980 model), has a slight list to port. There were threads on this site about it in the past. Just get the heavier folks to sit STBD.

Any boat can feel smaller in bigger weather. My full cut 155 jib used to cause my roundup/overpowered problems with winds above 17KTS. I recently had a Rollie Tasker sail made for me. It is a higher cut foot and now I have no need to snake the boat back & forth to see ahead. I can now sail with full sail @ 20KTS.

Before you raise the boom, check if your main was a remake or original. The standard sail dimensions on the C30's should allow for good headroom & bimini, without interference problems with boom height.

I just raised the goosneck fitting on my friend's 1987 Newport 30. Great boat however, I don't know what they were thinking when making the boat. We needed to raise her 9 inches for head/bimini clearance. Just make sure of all the sail dimensions first. Check that the boom dimension off the deck is per spec.

I also found that with a stronger wind running close-hauled, I get better performance flattening the main & closing the foot shelf (if your main has this).
Ease the traveler off to choke the separation somewhat between main & headsail.
It will take alittle practice but you will quickly see less heel & stress on the rudder.
Too much easing will cause you roundup problems with a weather-helm.

You'll know your boat well by season's end pal............

CR

 

[dj2210]

Thanks Capt. I'll see if I can find this dimension. I'm sure I will get some more insight as I sail on best sail trim. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of traveler movement compared to the C27 end boom sheeting.
Speaking of mainsheet, mine needs some new line but I have found it is very difficult to haul in under load. Is this normal?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

DJ,

I assume you mean it's tough pulling on the line to tighten the sail while it's wrapped around the winch. You now have much more sq. foot and in stiffer wind, it can be tough.

However, I have a slick way I trim my main. You have a 3 to 1 purchase set of blocks attached to your traveler. I take my left hand and grab the most aft line & pull it towards me. This tightens up the sail rather quickly.

Now grab the line at the winch and as you pull this, allow your left hand to feed this back thru the traveler. If you pull 12” of line around the winch, allow your left hand to release 12” back thru the blocks. All the while keeping equal tension with left & right hands. Think of it as ratcheting. Keeping a constant tension on the line between left & right hands, will keep your sail in place while you do this take-up trimming.

Does this make sense, as describing it is alittle difficult. Another thing, is that I usually have only one loop around the winch for lighter winds. I use a cam cleat with my winch. Two loops if the wind is spirited, but never three. Each wrap causes friction & will make it harder to tighten with a wind load on the sail.

Let me know if this makes sense pal....

CR

 

[dj2210]

Makes perfect sense and I will give it a try

 

[Brad on Vashon]

Ron - that's how I tensioned my main halyard on my Coronado 25- no winch. I was told its called "sweating". But I could be mis remembering

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Brad,

I wasn't aware of that term "sweating" but I like it. I wasn't real happy with my description for DJ, but he said he got it......

CR

 

[jrowan]

Ron, those are some good points on the main sheet tackle. I have problems hauling in on mine too when the winds are up. I figured that my blocks probably need to be lubricated which could help create less friction. I tend to overwrap my winch too - could be causing excess friction. Although I would be wary of raising the boom much, as every inch that you raise the main creates more windage up high & more heeling forces. I had a rigger raise the jib on my previous boat only 3" that caused it to round up much more easily. Raising the sails center of effort can have a significant negative effect on handling. My 2 c.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

JR,

Sorry, I didn't mean to raise the boom. And I wasn't happy with my description earlier.

Picture this. You walk forward to the companionway step. Picture youself as a boxer. I keep my hatch cover mostly closed. I have taken a tumble down ONCE, and it hurt.

Well I put my left foot on the companionway step. Now picture a boxer with both hands extended as if throwing a punch. Now, as if jabbing with the left hand grab the closest line above the traveler up high near the block.

As if pulling the punch back pull the line towards you. Now that you have extra line in your hand, like a right hand punch grab the sheet line at the winch. While still keeping tension with the left hand, pull the right hand line back to you. At the same time while keeping tension, as the right pulls, the left feeds the excess line back towards the block. Then ratchet this motion until your main is what you want.

It usually won't take that much of an effort as the 3 to 1 purchase's friction is working in your favor pal. After a few tries, you'll be an expert pal.....

CR