H31 SAILING CAPABILITY

[LLOYD JOHNSON]

I WOULD LIKE SOOM FEEDBACK ON HOW MUCH WIND I CAN SAFELY USE FULL MAIN,AND HOW MUCH HEELING IS SAFE.

 

[Steve Dion]

Probably not going to knock down.

Lloyd:You can probably sail in 30+ mph winds with a full main. But I got to tell you that 15-18 mph is a good time to put in the first reef. Of course this depends on the condition of your sail too. If you can flatten the sail you can take more wind but why.Most of the Hunter are designed so they have a fairly large sail area. This is great in the light air. When you compare a Hunter to comparable boats of the same size, they usually have more sail area. Consequently you need to get a reef in the mail around the 15-18 mph range. If you sail with a full main in high winds you are just sailing out of control.

 

[Jim Logan]

Sail 'em flat

Most sailboats of more modern design like Hunters sail better when the degree of heel is kept to 20 degrees or less - many folks say 15 degrees is about right. On my 1980 33 I reef the main at about 12-15 knots, but keep up the jib full until wind get in 15-20 knot range, this reduces weather helm and keeps the boat driving thus faster with less heeling - makes the passengers happier - of course, if you want to look like the people in the sailing magazines, just don't reef and hang on - but you'll go slower.

 

[Dan Yowell]

Be Comfortable

I usually will take the first tuck at 15-20 kt and the second at 20+. Using this as a general guide you will be much more comfortable and won't go any slower. By heeling too much you increase weather helm and the rudder slows you down so no advantage to excess heel. 20 degrees or less seems to be about right for the Hunter 31. I've sailed 25 kt winds with double tuck in the main and full head sail and had a ball.

 

[terry holt]

exactly...

concur with these guys all the way. i just returned from bvi with some guys that always wanted to sail "hard." dumb. reefing when its time makes you go faster more comfortably.

 

[Bob Rutland]

Ditto

I agree with all of these guys. As far as heel goes, the H31 dips the rail at about 35 to 40 degrees, but it makes the boat very slow and has alot of weather helm.Being a mast-head rig, the H31's main driving sail is it's headsail. So in fresher wind go for the reef main, more headsail, ease the sheets, keep the heel under 20 degrees and watch her FLY!  Bob S/V Lady Di II