Go Fast 28.5

[R Moore]

I have new sails, Harken roller furling, but am haveing a problem pointing into light wind. I suspect that I need to retune rigging. Any suggestions? Are there specs for an 85 28.5 that you can share with me?Rich

 

[Steve O.]

pointing

Are you traveling your mainsheet over towards midship and sheeting in the headsail? I had a 28.5 with masthead rig and fin keel, and it pointed quite well, actually better than my 33.5, which is a fractional rig with a wing keel.

 

[Michael O'Hara]

No Offense......

All you mentioned were sails and equipment, not how you're adjusting sail trim. So, at the risk of offending, a few words on sail trim: in light air you move the jib lead blocks forward and sheet out the main and jib to give a full, deep draft in both sails. The jib should luff at the top, middle and bottom at the same time when properly adjusted. When you're getting full power from your sails, you should be able to point quite well.Good luck!Michael O'

 

[Nom]

Physics of light air pointing ..

While agreeing with the trim suggestions, I would point out that no boat will point as well in really light air as in moderate air. The reason, as usual, is physics. Consider two boats that are both traveling at 45 degrees to the wind. One is making 3 knots in 6 knots of air. The other is making 5 knots in 15 knots of air. The first will see an apparent wind of about 16 degrees. The second will see a much larger angle to apparent wind.So, in light air, your tacking angle (measured by compass) will grow compared to your tacking angle in moderate air, regardless of your sail trim skills.

 

[Steve O.]

pointing again

The sail trim advice given by Michael and Norm is good advice. I forgot that you said "light air" and based my advice on just trying to point as high as possible in moderate to heavy air. Also, your keel type and rigging makes a difference. My former boat (h28.5 with a fin keel and masthead rig) pointed better than my h33.5, which has a wing keel and a fractional rig.