Heeling on a 222

[Peter Bowers]

We are enjoying our first summer with our "86" model 222 and have gotten used to its normal heel of about 15 degrees. Last night we got hit with a strong wind gust and the boat went over past 30 degrees. Has anyone ever been knocked down in this boat or a similar boat? Any suggestions for dealing with these situations. It was scarey for us as new sailors. We do love the boat and are having a great time sailing it.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Heel

Peter -Your boat is ballasted sufficiently so that it should not be possible to blow it over without assitance from big waves. That said, nothing is impossible.First, while 30 degrees can make a mess in the cabin you are still only 1/3 of the way over. I've put my boom in the water with the thing close hauled and while it scared the bejesus out of me, the boat did exactly what it is supposed to do - pop back up.The bigger risk with excessive heel is a loss of steering control. As your boat heels a few things happen. The boat wants to round up so you need to increase the amount of helm you use to hold it on course. At some point you will stall the rudder from excessive angle and it will stop functioning. The boat will then head up violently, typically with enough force to tack itself. The backwinded sails will then push the bow down on the new tack and you risk a full powered crash jibe. On some boats, you have the additional risk at severe heel angles of having the rudder out of the water. If this happens you are almost assured to tack over and if you are not fast in the recovery then you will jibe. Both of these take a lot more than 30 degrees heel on most boats, however.Some things to help: First, when the wind is punchy, don't cleat the sheets. Hold them in your hand and you can drop them if you get overpowered. Second, if the boat heels alot and you are having to hold serious helm on to go straight, allow the boat to point up into the wind - while you're at it, its time to reef. Finally, if you do broach up into the wind, don't panic. Your boat will be ok and so will you. Remember to unsheet the jib so that it doesn't pull you down into that jibe.A key thing to making sailing in conditions where this stuff matters fun is to make sure you have room around you. If there is a boat directly to windward of you it gets stressful because if you broach or point up to avoid a big gust you'll hit them. Similarly, if there is someone directly to leward of you, they may hit you. Keep a good bubble around you and you should have no major problems.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Peter Bowers]

Heel

Justin--Thanks for your advice. Will try to stay out of trouble. Peter

 

[dave]

heeling

justins answer was very thorough and accutare (as always J). i have had 4 o'days and their design is to round up which is excellent so just push the tiller away and let her do what she dsoes naturally

 

[John Thomson]

Be Careful with the Round-up

Justin has good points. One point I would like to add. My O'day 23 can round up when I do not want it to. Normally it comes up into the wind but sometimes in a gust, it will come all away around and actually tack over. It can be hairy if you are in traffic with other boats. My problem is the rudder is shallow because of the shoal draft of my keel/centerboard. I think the 222 has a kick up rudder which is deeper. Be ready to spill the main when the wind comes up - keep one hand on the mainsheet. If you become over powered - reef the main. Have fun with your 222.