H240 Heeling

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E.J. LaBranche

In reference to "H240 Reefing" by Dan Ebert. What is the point where too much heel becomes dangerous. Has anyone turned a H240 over? I just had my first experience with high winds this weekend (I got caught in a storm). Needless to say doing the laundry upon my return to home was interesting. PS I know when the mast is in the water Iam heeling a little too much.
 
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dave b.

heeling

I had the same question, and the people from the Co. said 17deg. was a good place to run the boat. Thay allso said that if you go over more than 117 deg its good buy boat! Now I did'nt ask about a roll-over, so you'll half to call them your self Hope this helped Dave Nebraska
 
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Sean

H240 SAFE

THE H240 IS A SAFE BOAT. IF THE BOAT BECOMES OVER POWERED IT WILL HEEL UNTIL THE RUDDER COMES OUT OF THE WATER. AT THIS POINT THE BOAT WILL ROUND UP INTO THE WIND. I'VE BEEN CAUGHT OUT ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY A FEW TIMES IN NASTY THUNDERSTORMS. AS LONG AS THE FORWARD HATCH IS CLOSED AND THE COMPANION WAY BOARDS ARE IN NO PROBLEM. THE WATER RUNS RIGHT OUT THE BACK. EASE INTO IT. GO OUT ON A NICE DAY WITH 20 KNOTS AND REEF THE MAIN. GET COMFORTABLE ON A REACH AND SLOWLY START WORKING YOUR WAY UP TO WINDWARD. YOU'LL FIND ABOUT THE TIME THAT THE RUBRAIL GETS TO THE WATER THE RUDDER WILL COME OUT AND IT WILL ROUND UP.
 
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Don't like it

Lost steering is NOT safe !

While the helmsman may choose to head up in a gust, a boat should not force this just because it is rail down. Boats with beamy sterns tend to develop excessive weather helm and even lose steering when heeled, because their broad rear lifts the rudder up and pushes the nose down. Balanced hulls behave better. Steering loss is NOT a safety feature. Some weather helm in such conditions is fine. Complete loss of steerage is a bad quirk of the boat. (And yes, I know the race sleds have beamy rears. BUT they have two rudders to compensate for the behavior of a hull form that results from the peculiar rule under which they race. They also have nine-foot keels with tremendous righting arm to keep them upright even in the roaring forties and screaming fifties.)
 
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Ken Shubert

Falling Out

If your heart can take the stress the only real danger seems to be falling out of the boat. Not a trivial problem in rough waters. Hunter took a few steps to make the H240 a little more stable than the H23.5 but they're still tender and will give you a real thrill sometimes. There is a good point: keep the rudder in the water if at all possible. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
 
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Joe Refkin

Yippie Ty Yay

I have had the 240 with full sail in 25mph winds. When the wind is steady, the heel will bury the rub rail, but the ride is comfortable. When the wind is gusty, it tends to round up and the ride of course is wild (and scary until you see that the boat wont capsize). In terms of what is correct, reef the main when the winds are over 15. The ride is just as fast, but MUCH MORE STABLE AND COMFORTABLE. Some will reef at 10 to 12. You will notice fewer screems when you reef and you will feel (and be) safer.
 
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Guest

Dont worry

I have had my 240 for 2 years now. I have Hull number 13 so I like to think I have a lot of relative experience in this boat. I have found that you just have to ease into it. For the first year I was a wimp and headed for shore after the wind blew 20. Then, I got caught in a regatta in 30 plus MPH winds and was too far away from home to run. Just pinch it a little when you are close hauled and you want have a problem. By the way, I was out in 20MPH winds last week and did not reef. Just get to know the boat. Get heeled one time and let go of the tiller. Better see what it does when you are expecting it than when your not. Rhudson72@aol.com s/v Summer Luvin'
 
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Dave Condon

Heeling

Ernie; There is alot of discussion regarding heeling of the Hunter 23.5 and 240. The winds on Kerr Lake that day were strong since I was sailing too. Based on experience, you will sail faster with less heel. If you are heeling more than 15 degrees, you are loosing performance and fighting the boat. If your boat had a knot meter, I could prove this time and time again. It is amatter of sail trim and when knowing to reduce the sail area. You have roller furling on your boat which will help. If heeling too much reduce the sail area and you will find sailing at the same if not more speed. Be glad to help you in any way. Based on experience
 
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