As those of you that have raced the 216 in very light air already know, the asymmetrical kite is useless. Any similar boat that carries a full kite and spinnaker pole can sail almost dead down wind while we are slowly tacking along or trying to run wing-on-wing with a tiny little foresail. Has anyone, besides me, given any thought to having a full spinnaker designed for this boat similar to say a Santana 21? If I move ahead with this project, is anyone else interested in purchasing a similar configuration?
H-216 in Very Light Air
- Thread starter Mr.Ernie
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I disagree with your assessment
An Akite is a good sail for light air use. You have to use different jibe angles to improve your apparent wind. On a windward/leeward course symmetrical spinnakers are a better choice but even they must sail higher to improve VMG. In a broad to beam reach an akite is my first choice for optimum boat speed. You may want to consider putting a masthead halyard in and using a larger akite for the light stuff. A retractable sprit would be a wonderful addition also.
An Akite is a good sail for light air use. You have to use different jibe angles to improve your apparent wind. On a windward/leeward course symmetrical spinnakers are a better choice but even they must sail higher to improve VMG. In a broad to beam reach an akite is my first choice for optimum boat speed. You may want to consider putting a masthead halyard in and using a larger akite for the light stuff. A retractable sprit would be a wonderful addition also.
Alen - You own a 216?
Allen, I'm assuming that you don't race an H-216 on windward/leeward courses in light air against some of the higher rated PHRF boats with symmetrical spinnakers. I happen to sail and race both types and can assure you that I realize that sailing downwind with a symmetrical requires sailing a bit off the wind and tacking occasionally to increase VMG. During our racing we constantly monitor VMG on the GPS. The 216 DOES have a retractable bowsprit but a relatively small asymmetrical and in very light air you almost need to sail on a reach to even keep the kite half full. As a light wind becomes even a steady light breeze, the asymmetrical gives the 216 an advantage but on inland lake sailing, I believe that this particular design needs to carry both to be competitive. What have you other 216ers experienced sailing against some of these Pocket Rockets? It is downright embarrassing to lose a third of a leg in a downwind leg to a boat that you've just led by a couple of boat lengths at the A pin.
Allen, I'm assuming that you don't race an H-216 on windward/leeward courses in light air against some of the higher rated PHRF boats with symmetrical spinnakers. I happen to sail and race both types and can assure you that I realize that sailing downwind with a symmetrical requires sailing a bit off the wind and tacking occasionally to increase VMG. During our racing we constantly monitor VMG on the GPS. The 216 DOES have a retractable bowsprit but a relatively small asymmetrical and in very light air you almost need to sail on a reach to even keep the kite half full. As a light wind becomes even a steady light breeze, the asymmetrical gives the 216 an advantage but on inland lake sailing, I believe that this particular design needs to carry both to be competitive. What have you other 216ers experienced sailing against some of these Pocket Rockets? It is downright embarrassing to lose a third of a leg in a downwind leg to a boat that you've just led by a couple of boat lengths at the A pin.
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