heeling

[Del, Ackels]

I was just wondering what other owners thought was a maximum safe heeing angle in fairly constant wind conditions. I realize that with gusty conditions heeling needs to be reduced. And I also realize this depends on the persons comfort level too. I single hand most of the time and with a light boat like the H 23 it will heel quickly! Not asking for a facts, just opinons.Thanks!

 

[Ex 23 owner]

Here's some facts ..

(1) Boats don't sail well when they are heeled far over. Inefficient sails. Inefficient hull shape. Weather helm. Then rudder aeration and no helm. If the toe rail is under, the boat is heeled more than the designer intended for good sailing. (2) None of that is necessarily dangerous. Done that many times in my 23. No big deal. (3) The danger point -- as far as pure heel is concerned -- is the downflooding angle. If you heel too far over, water will come into the cockpit, and then down the companionway hatch. Downflooding through the companionway will quickly sink a small boat. The Hunter 23 does not have a high downflooding angle, but it should be fairly obvious when the coaming starts to get wet that you should do something to reduce heel.

 

[Michael Cohn]

Also

No heeling is slow.Every boat has an optimum heel angle for best speed upwind. You can buy an inclinometer and watch your knotmeter to find out what works best for your boat.MC

 

[Jim McCue]

Now have a 28.5 but had an Oday 23. I had same problems with heavy healing on brisk days and this may help .. short of getting a heavier boat. Assuming you are using all your "keel", You may want to try move the traveler to center or slightly windward of center. This puts a twist in the main and will allow you to spill some wind high up. Then sheet in. I've seen lots of folks who "think" that they will spill wind by lettting out the traveler and sheetin in tight. Not good. They usually are sailing gunnals under.Also make sure you are not choaking the slot between the jib and main. You could sheet in tight in a blow but make sure your jib cars are moved back.Good luck