Heeling

[Rick Carlson]

I just bought a Oday 23 and woundering how far or who many degrees will it heel befor h2o comes on board.

 

[Bob Vannier]

really sailing

I've benn sailing my 78 Oday 23 since May 1994 and so far have never put water over the side. I've had healing up to 30 on gusts. The rudder becomes ineffective and the boat will head up into the wind. It can be a little tricky to keep it from broaching but with practice and a few shots of adrenalin things seem to work out fine. As it heads up into the wind push the tiller to winward and let out the main. Then bring it back to normal sailing. If I continue to get knocked down, I shorten sail. Good sailing.

 

[Guest]

What is the ideal range of wind for effective sailing on the O'Day 23?

 

[Mike]

There is no "ideal"

angle of heel; it all depends on the waves, current, passenger comfort, etc. As a general rule of thumb, sailboats without large overhangs at the bow or stern sail fastest when they are as close to plumb as possible. I have found that with a breeze of between 10-15 mph, with a full main and 100% jib set, this translates into about 10-15 degrees of heel on my Oday 23. I reef the main when the wind is over 15 mph in order to minimize heel and enhance comfort(especially when my wife is aboard). I have had my boat over 25 degrees of heel, and I found the ride to be thrilling, but ultimately uncomfortable. Despite the fact that the 23 is a tender boat (heels early and alot) she is stable; it will take more than just some strong wind to knock her down. I have never done so on the Oday, but there is a point at which the heel becomes so great that the rudder will lose its bite in the water and the boat will round up in the wind. A nice safety feature.