I love my Hunter 26 and am learning it's idiosyncracies, I have found she likes an early reef and sails well with that reef in the main and a full deployment of the jib, fast and holds course well, I am wondering if a 135 genny and a set of cars would be a good call, have any of you made this type of mod and how does it work out??
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Cute as a button...
Can't comment on the genny, but neither can I resist commenting on that gorgeous pooch!! Is that your first mate?
Can't comment on the genny, but neither can I resist commenting on that gorgeous pooch!! Is that your first mate?
1 of them
best 1st mate ever (don't tell the wife)..she is a stray we got from the tow truck driver that hauled our burned tranny f150, and H26 from a Barstow Ca. rest area. He had a bunch of dogs in the yard and my daughter and this little mutt bonded pretty quick..the tow guy say's you want her?..the rest is history
best 1st mate ever (don't tell the wife)..she is a stray we got from the tow truck driver that hauled our burned tranny f150, and H26 from a Barstow Ca. rest area. He had a bunch of dogs in the yard and my daughter and this little mutt bonded pretty quick..the tow guy say's you want her?..the rest is history
I did a 125% genny
I got new sails and used them for the first time last weekend. The result of switching to a 125% from a 100% is that I now a just a little lee helm, at least in the 5-10 knot wind. As the wind got stronger, it disappearred, but I never develop 3-5 degree weather helm that I like. Perhaps at higher wind speed...
I got new sails and used them for the first time last weekend. The result of switching to a 125% from a 100% is that I now a just a little lee helm, at least in the 5-10 knot wind. As the wind got stronger, it disappearred, but I never develop 3-5 degree weather helm that I like. Perhaps at higher wind speed...
genoa tracks/cars?
did you install cars and tracks with the 125, can you post/email me a picture, thanks
did you install cars and tracks with the 125, can you post/email me a picture, thanks
Lee helm and genoa track
I just don't see the room to put genoa tracks. I lust for them, but to get them at the right angle and aft enough to use to induce twist makes it back around my rope clutch! I think we need a bigger boat considering the deck layout to consider 'em. Just my $0.02 Concerning adding mast rake to correct lee helm, I'm already at 8" and worried about going farther (the spec as I understand it is 6"). The "lip" of the forward part of the foot of the mast is up off of the mast step and I'm worried about twisting of the mast that this lip restricts. I'll give it another looksee, though. Thanks for the suggestion.
I just don't see the room to put genoa tracks. I lust for them, but to get them at the right angle and aft enough to use to induce twist makes it back around my rope clutch! I think we need a bigger boat considering the deck layout to consider 'em. Just my $0.02 Concerning adding mast rake to correct lee helm, I'm already at 8" and worried about going farther (the spec as I understand it is 6"). The "lip" of the forward part of the foot of the mast is up off of the mast step and I'm worried about twisting of the mast that this lip restricts. I'll give it another looksee, though. Thanks for the suggestion.
Rich L
First and most important. The entire foot of the mast must rest completely on the base. You are asking for trouble if you leave the base footprint other than flat. To accomplish this, after you have gotten your rig tuned to satisfaction, it may be necessary to cut the base of the mast to the correct angle. However, with 8" of rake in the mast, there should be enough curve in the mast to allow for a flat base. Don't forget that the curve of the mast bend must match the luff curve in your main. And do not confuse mast rake with mast bend, they are not the same thing by any means. Second, if a 125 genoa lead angle takes you that far back, the clew of the sail must be exremely high. That means its a reaching sail and not an all porpose genoa. Third, leading your genoa sheet back, it should go through a turning block before it reaches the winch and then to a cleat. Never a rope clutch.
First and most important. The entire foot of the mast must rest completely on the base. You are asking for trouble if you leave the base footprint other than flat. To accomplish this, after you have gotten your rig tuned to satisfaction, it may be necessary to cut the base of the mast to the correct angle. However, with 8" of rake in the mast, there should be enough curve in the mast to allow for a flat base. Don't forget that the curve of the mast bend must match the luff curve in your main. And do not confuse mast rake with mast bend, they are not the same thing by any means. Second, if a 125 genoa lead angle takes you that far back, the clew of the sail must be exremely high. That means its a reaching sail and not an all porpose genoa. Third, leading your genoa sheet back, it should go through a turning block before it reaches the winch and then to a cleat. Never a rope clutch.
A big HMMMM
I'm clear on the difference between bend and rake. I've raked the mast 8". True, the foot is not on the base perfectly flat, but it's very close. When it is flat on the base, I have a measly 2" of rake that is presumably due to the natural bend of the mast. Trimming the mast and reinstalling the base in order to increase rake is an interesting idea - not one I've heard suggested before. However, I think I have more rake than specs already, so I'll need to give this some thought. It's not like I can undo doing your suggestion... My jib clew is 16" off the deck (I don't think that is very high) and the jib sheet goes through a spring block on its way back to the winch. On a 26' there's a triple rope clutch about 18" in front of the starboard winch that is used for the halyards and the swing keel uphaul. That rope clutch is right smack in the middle of where I would put one end of a genoa track. If I shorten the track to avoid the rope clutch, the track would only be about 2.5' long. I'm questioning the utility of such a short track. To exacerbate the problem, Rob is thinking about a 135. That might put the clew aft of the spring block for the sheet! Rob - I wouldn't consider a 135 - just throws the balance of the boat off too much and you'll potentially have a problem with your sheets and the spring blocks. I'm still evaluating whether I like the 125. If I can get my weather helm back, I'll like it.
I'm clear on the difference between bend and rake. I've raked the mast 8". True, the foot is not on the base perfectly flat, but it's very close. When it is flat on the base, I have a measly 2" of rake that is presumably due to the natural bend of the mast. Trimming the mast and reinstalling the base in order to increase rake is an interesting idea - not one I've heard suggested before. However, I think I have more rake than specs already, so I'll need to give this some thought. It's not like I can undo doing your suggestion... My jib clew is 16" off the deck (I don't think that is very high) and the jib sheet goes through a spring block on its way back to the winch. On a 26' there's a triple rope clutch about 18" in front of the starboard winch that is used for the halyards and the swing keel uphaul. That rope clutch is right smack in the middle of where I would put one end of a genoa track. If I shorten the track to avoid the rope clutch, the track would only be about 2.5' long. I'm questioning the utility of such a short track. To exacerbate the problem, Rob is thinking about a 135. That might put the clew aft of the spring block for the sheet! Rob - I wouldn't consider a 135 - just throws the balance of the boat off too much and you'll potentially have a problem with your sheets and the spring blocks. I'm still evaluating whether I like the 125. If I can get my weather helm back, I'll like it.
Rich L
Please don't misunderstand. The mast base is NOT CUT to initiate the rake. It is done in response to it, IF it doesn't lay flat after tuning. Rake is done with a straight mast and no tension on the shrouds or backstay(if you have one) I carry 17" of rake(different model) before I bend the mast to fit the luff curve. Putting in the mast bend brings the mast base back to level. I had a look at the deck layout of the 26. Let me offer a few suggestions. Because of the shrouds/spreaders, you would need to sheet a larger headsail outboard of the shrouds. This is going to affect your pointing dramatically. I would certainly advocate as much track as you can use for the 110. For an off wind sail I would suggest an Asym spinnaker. They are very easy to use and are very effective for any AWA aft of 80 degrees
Please don't misunderstand. The mast base is NOT CUT to initiate the rake. It is done in response to it, IF it doesn't lay flat after tuning. Rake is done with a straight mast and no tension on the shrouds or backstay(if you have one) I carry 17" of rake(different model) before I bend the mast to fit the luff curve. Putting in the mast bend brings the mast base back to level. I had a look at the deck layout of the 26. Let me offer a few suggestions. Because of the shrouds/spreaders, you would need to sheet a larger headsail outboard of the shrouds. This is going to affect your pointing dramatically. I would certainly advocate as much track as you can use for the 110. For an off wind sail I would suggest an Asym spinnaker. They are very easy to use and are very effective for any AWA aft of 80 degrees
Rob
I'll send you an update after a couple of days of sailing this weekend (hopefully we'll have some wind). My opinion is 135 is too much; 125 may be too much. My boat came stock with a 100% jib and it was perfectly balanced with 6-8" rake. I lusted for tracks and a more sail area, so I bought a 125 that sweeps my deck plus a full roach loose-footed main that was just a little bigger than stock (I hoped it would balance out). I don't think you can use genoa tracks, at least with my 125. Unfortunately, the spring block is almost directly until the 125's clew, so can't twist the leech at all. In addition, once I got the sheet at the clew stuck on a stanchion - that never happened with the 100. Jib tracks probably were a possibility with the 100. Don't even think about genny sheeting outside of the shrouds - bad idea. Complicated, inefficient design for the 26. Rich
I'll send you an update after a couple of days of sailing this weekend (hopefully we'll have some wind). My opinion is 135 is too much; 125 may be too much. My boat came stock with a 100% jib and it was perfectly balanced with 6-8" rake. I lusted for tracks and a more sail area, so I bought a 125 that sweeps my deck plus a full roach loose-footed main that was just a little bigger than stock (I hoped it would balance out). I don't think you can use genoa tracks, at least with my 125. Unfortunately, the spring block is almost directly until the 125's clew, so can't twist the leech at all. In addition, once I got the sheet at the clew stuck on a stanchion - that never happened with the 100. Jib tracks probably were a possibility with the 100. Don't even think about genny sheeting outside of the shrouds - bad idea. Complicated, inefficient design for the 26. Rich
Interesting
I've seen this issue come up several times in the last four years, and each time the concensus has been that the Hunter water ballast boats are not designed for a larger headsail. Being a fractional rig, the driver is the main, not the jib. A larger genoa would put the boat out of balance. This was theorized, anyway. Rich is the first that I've heard to try it, and has found what we expected. Increasing the mainsail size to try to keep the balance is certainly an interesting addition to the issue. I've sometimes wanted a small track even for my 110% (100%?) for controlling sail shape when (roller) reefed, but if I'm having to reef the jib I find I can sail just fine with just a reefed main anyway. I would like to add a traveller though... ...RickM...
I've seen this issue come up several times in the last four years, and each time the concensus has been that the Hunter water ballast boats are not designed for a larger headsail. Being a fractional rig, the driver is the main, not the jib. A larger genoa would put the boat out of balance. This was theorized, anyway. Rich is the first that I've heard to try it, and has found what we expected. Increasing the mainsail size to try to keep the balance is certainly an interesting addition to the issue. I've sometimes wanted a small track even for my 110% (100%?) for controlling sail shape when (roller) reefed, but if I'm having to reef the jib I find I can sail just fine with just a reefed main anyway. I would like to add a traveller though... ...RickM...
Traveler
Rick: Oh, I would LOVE a traveler, but the options for location just aren't all that attractive. I've seen folks who put it in the cockpit across the seats and across the companionway hatch. The H26 is my first boat, and no doubt there are MANY things that I like about it. I probably chose the best boat for my price range. However, I've come to understand that every boat is a compromise with a person of my personality - someone who likes their comfort AND someone who sometimes likes to tweak and play with stuff to suffer the last bit of performance out of everything. Your idea of jib tracks for a reefed genny is interesting - especially good idea if you live in a windy place. I mainly sail mid-west lakes, so not so much for me. If I lived on the ocean, I'd bet that I would do it... BTW, I increased both the luff and the foot of the mainsail. Now the main only has about 5" of free track on the mast and 3" on the boom. I sure hope it doesn't stretch out much over the next few years...
Rick: Oh, I would LOVE a traveler, but the options for location just aren't all that attractive. I've seen folks who put it in the cockpit across the seats and across the companionway hatch. The H26 is my first boat, and no doubt there are MANY things that I like about it. I probably chose the best boat for my price range. However, I've come to understand that every boat is a compromise with a person of my personality - someone who likes their comfort AND someone who sometimes likes to tweak and play with stuff to suffer the last bit of performance out of everything. Your idea of jib tracks for a reefed genny is interesting - especially good idea if you live in a windy place. I mainly sail mid-west lakes, so not so much for me. If I lived on the ocean, I'd bet that I would do it... BTW, I increased both the luff and the foot of the mainsail. Now the main only has about 5" of free track on the mast and 3" on the boom. I sure hope it doesn't stretch out much over the next few years...
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