heel angle H25.5 safety, performance

[Jeff Johnston]

I understand that most Hunters perform best with an optimun heel of 15 to 20 degrees. We recently bought a Hunter 25.5 with a fin keel. Does anyone know the manufactures specs on how far over the boat can safely heel before a knockdown? We sail on an inland lake where large waves are not a problem. I know that as the boat heels excessively that weather helm will cause it to round up and get on its feet but I still want to know how far Hunter recommends you can heel safely before a knockdown.

 

[John]

heel

I have no idea of specs, but you are correct. My 25.5 rounds up strongly if it is overpowered. I quite often have sailed in pretty good winds with the rails nearly in the water and maintained control. Not always comfortable, but basically under control. This includes a couple of instances of 40 MPH winds (reefed) that required a lot of back winding the main, but no knockdown -- just a bit exciting and busy. You quickly learn how well your gear is stowed. I suggest you play around a little and find sail control settings you are comfortable with at various wind speeds and conditions. You will end up with a good idea of what is too much for you, ways to limit heal and will be able to expand your comfort level through time.

 

[S. Sauer]

Heel Angle

You're right about the "optimum" sailing angle in that the boat will be at it's best performance when healing at around 20 degrees. You may heel at 30 degrees in gusts and the boat will then round up when overpowered. If you can, you should reef the main and/or go to a smaller headsail to see which combination works best for you when the boat starts to heel over 25 to 30 degrees. In an 'emergency' situation it may be more controlled to drop the traveler down 6 inches or more to let the mainsail slide down to leward without releasing the main sheet and having it flog dangerously.Once you reach a wind speed where you are still heeling at 25 degrees or more with a 110 jib and a reefed main, you should be prepared to drop the jib and motor sail or sail on the reefed main alone. Off the wind a 110 jib by itself can be more comfortable to deal with and easiest to drop when necessary.

 

[Frank Ladd]

My 23.5

My 23.5 does not seem to knock down at all. It heels to about 37 degrees or so when I get hammered by a big gust. Then it rounds up into the wind. If I'm sailing downwind when I get hameered then the resulting spinout into the wind is pretty impressive. I've had this happen a few times when sailing with just the deeply reefed main up. When is it that gusty I think it is better to drop all sail and motor to safer, more protected place.

 

[Rodger Ling]

Heel is what you make of it

Although our "lev-o-gauge" only goes to 45 degrees, I believe we've had our Hunter over as far as 60 degrees once of twice. This is almost enough to get water into the cockpit over the coamings. This is a pretty poor way to sail, but the boat seems to handle it fine even if the items you've got stored below don't. Best performance is around 15-20 degrees of heel. If you are hitting 30 degrees or more, it's time to reef. I typically don't have any problems with round-up assuming I have reefed, let the traveler out, and let out some mainsheet *before* the boat goes too far.

 

[Brad O.]

Heel Boy!

As the others have said the 25.5 does heel it will go to 20 degrees pretty easily and does well. it does stiffen up as you go over farther but weather helm increases as you do. The Rudder stalls and it is hard to steer.I have a rule of thumb. 12-15 knots 1 reef - Full 150 genny15-18 knots two reefs - furled 150 to 130Gusting over 20 two reefs and the 110.Keeping the 25.5 balanced is best. Don't be shy about reefing. The 25.5 perfroms well with sails reefed. Many times I have driver her to hull speed with two reefs in gusting breezes. If you are'nt sure if you should reef...reef anyway. You can always shake it out easier than putting one in. In light air I sit on the leeward side to keep the boat heeled slightly and the sails full.ith the 25.5 expect it to heel quickly and playing the gusts with line adjustable traveler is the way to go. Keeping the boat from over heeling with the traveler translaters the energy to acceleration. Congrats on your 25.5 it is a fun boat.