Genoa luffing but only on starboard tacks

[Cabin by the Sea]

I have a 1981 Catalina 30 with a 130 Genoa that was new as of 1-30-15 from Hyde sails. When I'm close hauled on a starboard tack it will luff even when it's sheeted all the way in. Port tack, same angle to the wind, no problem. I tried adjusting the cars and that doesn't seem to fix it. Has anyone ever seen this happen? It's starting to piss me off! Any advice or if this has happened to you, would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Jackdaw]

What do you mean when you say 'luff'???

Leading edge? Trailing edge? If trailing can the leech line fix it?

No matter what my first guess is that your mast is not plumb. So look at that first.

Did your old sail do this? Its possible that even if it did not, you new sail might have less leech hollow which would set it on earlier.

 

[Cabin by the Sea]

It's the trailing edge of the leech and the sail was replaced right when I got it. Don't recall it happening on the first sail but it was a while back and just a short check out with barely any wind.

 

[PineyWoods]

OK, this isn't luffing, which occurs first along the luff when sailing too close or with sail under-trimmed for point of sail.

When the leech line is too loose, a harmonic vibration of the leech will set up. The line is captured in the fold of the leech and runs of the way to the top, with an adjusting device above the clew, often concealed with a flap of Velcro'ed sailcloth. Trim your sail optimally, then tighten the leech line until the vibration stops. The higher the wind, the tighter the line must be. You mains'l has one too.

The converse problem - with a too tight leech line - causes hooking of the leech to windward with turbulent airflow exit.

Pete

 

[peter_ms]

His basic problem is not resolved by that; it's just a patch.
If the sail behaves differently on each tack with identical trim; allowing for the fact that the sheets come outboard around the winch on the stbd side and inboard around the winch on the port side; then the rig is not straight.
Many using even a tape measure instead of a stretchy halyard forget that the main halyard sheave is offset to one side because of the 2 heave configuration in the mast truck.

Peter

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. allowing for the fact that the sheets come outboard around the winch on the stbd side and inboard around the winch on the port side;

2. then the rig is not straight.

1. Wouldn't make a difference since the jib sheets go through the jib fairlead blocks on the track first.

2. Agree.

 

[PineyWoods]

Not necessarily the rig out of line. The fact that it happens under a wide range of adjustment of sheet and cars should have compensated for anything but a gross, visible rig problem.

First be sure that the furler is not cleated off tight so that it's free to rotate and align the foil with airflow on either tack. Cleated off hard it will put a kink in the leach and tighten it on one tack. Also be sure the slide cars are oriented so that the pins are toward the same end.

Pete

 

[Cabin by the Sea]

Thanks gentleman! I'll give it a shot this weekend and update next week. Cheers!