I have a question about my Oday Mariner. I am fairly new to sailing and seem to do pretty well with handling the boat. I do have one fear though! Sometimes when on a beam reach in a decent breeze the boat will start to heel pretty far. I try to point it closer to the wind and the boat heels even more almost putting the leeward rail in the water. It is really uncomfortable and makes me nervous. It feels like the boat is going to lay on its side in the water. Is this normal, how much heeling is safe, is it just me, will it lay all the way over? I know that heeling is desirable but I don't know the boats limits. This is not in storm winds or anything. I really would like some advice because I want to know what she is capable of without laying her over. Thanks Kevin
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sailboats are made to heel
Kevin, I too have a 69 mariner and it is a great boat. Easy on the maintenance, easy to launch and comfortable for several people. I bought in with my neighbor who has been a lifelong race sailor. He loves to ride it up on the lee rail and keep it there. Winds have to get up around 20+ kts or so to get it to heel that far with both of us on the weather side. If you look at most action pictures of sailboats, they are on their sides, its natural. If you find it uncomfortable you can reef the main or loosen the sheets before you tack. If you have the CB version be sure to keep your centerboard fully extended (but not loose) in these conditions and there should be a couple hundred pounds of lead under the floor to help right the boat. You're right, I keep waiting for it to turtle like a dingy but the hull is excellent and made to handle at least this much wind. It is a big step to overcome the fear of capsizing. But have no fear, the boat is very seaworthy as designed and should be able to ride up to the rail without problem. Oh, and look into getting some "j-back" cushions that fit over the wood coaming. I got some from c-cushions in texas and they make sitting up there a lot more comfortable
Kevin, I too have a 69 mariner and it is a great boat. Easy on the maintenance, easy to launch and comfortable for several people. I bought in with my neighbor who has been a lifelong race sailor. He loves to ride it up on the lee rail and keep it there. Winds have to get up around 20+ kts or so to get it to heel that far with both of us on the weather side. If you look at most action pictures of sailboats, they are on their sides, its natural. If you find it uncomfortable you can reef the main or loosen the sheets before you tack. If you have the CB version be sure to keep your centerboard fully extended (but not loose) in these conditions and there should be a couple hundred pounds of lead under the floor to help right the boat. You're right, I keep waiting for it to turtle like a dingy but the hull is excellent and made to handle at least this much wind. It is a big step to overcome the fear of capsizing. But have no fear, the boat is very seaworthy as designed and should be able to ride up to the rail without problem. Oh, and look into getting some "j-back" cushions that fit over the wood coaming. I got some from c-cushions in texas and they make sitting up there a lot more comfortable
K
Kevin
CB Version?
Thanks for the help, I will overcome this fear for the love of sailing. Like I said, I am hooked and love it! You did mention if I had a centerboard version. I thought all the Mariner 2+2's had the crank or rope down center keel? Thanks again, Kevin
Thanks for the help, I will overcome this fear for the love of sailing. Like I said, I am hooked and love it! You did mention if I had a centerboard version. I thought all the Mariner 2+2's had the crank or rope down center keel? Thanks again, Kevin
My first boat was a 17 ft oday daysailor, just a few feet shorter than the mariner at 19 I believe. I spent a great deal of time on the rail and never rolled the boat. Great learner and easy fun boat. I now sail a 26 ftr also oday, I was told that by letting the traveler out to the end of the track this should bring the boat back down a bit. You can also search the archives I believe I have seen this topic befoe. Enjoy the boat and keep on sailing .
M
Michelle
Try easing your main sheet or fallling off the wind to adjust the heeling. You'll get more comfortable with it and learn the boat's limist the more you sail. You have enough lead that you should not have to worry about turtling her.
D
Dave K.
Controlling heel
While heading up towards the wind is the correct reaction to reduce heel on a windward course, once the wind is abeam or aft of that you should steer down, away from the wind, to reduce heel. Just be certain that you don't oversteer yourself into a crash-gybe situation.
While heading up towards the wind is the correct reaction to reduce heel on a windward course, once the wind is abeam or aft of that you should steer down, away from the wind, to reduce heel. Just be certain that you don't oversteer yourself into a crash-gybe situation.
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