Quick Quiz now in progress for the week of 1-10-00: Do you frequently sail with your rail in the water? Have you done it occasionally, or would you never consider it? Has it happened because you messed up your sail trim and got overpowered... or because you nailed it just right? Is it an inefficient way to sail, or just plain fun? Vote now onthe CO home page, then share your opinions and watch for final Quick Quiz results!
- Status
Depends on the boat
My previous Catalina 30 was fun and still pretty fast with the rail down to the water. I had raked the mast a little forward from where the previous owner had it to control weather helm. My new C-36 with wing keel just doesn't do it well. I suspect the wide stern causes too much weather helm at that heel, but it is stiffer anyway.
My previous Catalina 30 was fun and still pretty fast with the rail down to the water. I had raked the mast a little forward from where the previous owner had it to control weather helm. My new C-36 with wing keel just doesn't do it well. I suspect the wide stern causes too much weather helm at that heel, but it is stiffer anyway.
why
Just to show you can do itboat sails bad,poor ability to work sheets, poor foward visability.... Sure you can do it but its more of a mark of sailing proficency to hold the boat at the ideal heel an all winds. Bury the rail... and hit the dock all fall into the same thing.. why
Just to show you can do itboat sails bad,poor ability to work sheets, poor foward visability.... Sure you can do it but its more of a mark of sailing proficency to hold the boat at the ideal heel an all winds. Bury the rail... and hit the dock all fall into the same thing.. why
Rail down fun?
Sailing with the rail down can be exilerating and fun under the right conditions, but we generally prefer a more gentle heel. In addition, we hate cleaning up the mess after everything has been unseated from its nest and scattered about the cabin. The last time The rail got wet on our C30 was because of equipment failure. we were flying the spanker on a beam reach when a hefty gust parted the snap shackle on the tack downhaul. The tacker slid up the furler, putting a big, colorful bubble of nylon near the top of the mast. The near-broach was exciting, but not much fun. Over all, we enjoy getting the most efficiency instead of the most drive. Does age do that? What the heck? Enjoy it your way, That's what it's all about. Best winds, John & Mickie
Sailing with the rail down can be exilerating and fun under the right conditions, but we generally prefer a more gentle heel. In addition, we hate cleaning up the mess after everything has been unseated from its nest and scattered about the cabin. The last time The rail got wet on our C30 was because of equipment failure. we were flying the spanker on a beam reach when a hefty gust parted the snap shackle on the tack downhaul. The tacker slid up the furler, putting a big, colorful bubble of nylon near the top of the mast. The near-broach was exciting, but not much fun. Over all, we enjoy getting the most efficiency instead of the most drive. Does age do that? What the heck? Enjoy it your way, That's what it's all about. Best winds, John & Mickie
Just a Heel
I don't know about other C-22's with swing keels, but mine won't heel that far, it usually rounds out way before the toe rail would get into the water. Not only that, but my C-22 slows down when you start getting past 15 degrees of heel. Could it be my swing keel, or is it the fact that I rake my mast back just a bit?
I don't know about other C-22's with swing keels, but mine won't heel that far, it usually rounds out way before the toe rail would get into the water. Not only that, but my C-22 slows down when you start getting past 15 degrees of heel. Could it be my swing keel, or is it the fact that I rake my mast back just a bit?
Rail in the water means your boat is overpowered.
I have found it near impossible to get any sailboat I have owned to sail without weather helm when the rail is consistently in the water. Usually when this is done you will find your boat working too hard and not going as fast as she could with a normal sailing position. It would be best to reduce sail and actually gain speed.
I have found it near impossible to get any sailboat I have owned to sail without weather helm when the rail is consistently in the water. Usually when this is done you will find your boat working too hard and not going as fast as she could with a normal sailing position. It would be best to reduce sail and actually gain speed.
It's inefficient but sometime ya gotta do it!
Most of the time I sail at maximum efficiency/maximum speed but sometimes it's fun just to slam that rail in the water! Especially when friends are aboard. I'd never do it to someone who was ill at ease but if they're out for a good time, it can be exhilarating. I sorta feel naughty when I do it cuz I know I'm not "supposed" to.
Most of the time I sail at maximum efficiency/maximum speed but sometimes it's fun just to slam that rail in the water! Especially when friends are aboard. I'd never do it to someone who was ill at ease but if they're out for a good time, it can be exhilarating. I sorta feel naughty when I do it cuz I know I'm not "supposed" to.
It's Fun!
Yeah, I know it means you're overpowered and it's inefficient, but it's fun when you have the right crew and are in control. It was easier to put the rail down in my C-27 than it is now with my 30. In the 27 it was really fun when the ports were submerged. I also like it when the spray soaks your main 4 or 5 feet up from the boom sailing the "slot" in SF Bay.
Yeah, I know it means you're overpowered and it's inefficient, but it's fun when you have the right crew and are in control. It was easier to put the rail down in my C-27 than it is now with my 30. In the 27 it was really fun when the ports were submerged. I also like it when the spray soaks your main 4 or 5 feet up from the boom sailing the "slot" in SF Bay.
fun but inefficient
Heeling the boat reduces the efficiency of the keel to point since the lift is no longer working to steer the boat port or starboard. That's the whole idea behind a swing keel. While the boat may heel somewhat, the keel stays vertical and also works to counteract the heeling moment. Sure is fun though...if you like getting the bejeezus scared out of you!
Heeling the boat reduces the efficiency of the keel to point since the lift is no longer working to steer the boat port or starboard. That's the whole idea behind a swing keel. While the boat may heel somewhat, the keel stays vertical and also works to counteract the heeling moment. Sure is fun though...if you like getting the bejeezus scared out of you!
The Wife says NO!!
Sailing with the rail in the water is not an efficeint way to sail. But it is fun!! I will do it when I am with the guys just out for a fun time but when the first mate is on board she prefers a stable ride without the thrill of dipping the rail. When I sail my hobbie cat I prefer to be hiked out as far as i can get with one pontune in the air and play a game with myself ( how far can i go)So I gues i am 50-50 on this one.
Sailing with the rail in the water is not an efficeint way to sail. But it is fun!! I will do it when I am with the guys just out for a fun time but when the first mate is on board she prefers a stable ride without the thrill of dipping the rail. When I sail my hobbie cat I prefer to be hiked out as far as i can get with one pontune in the air and play a game with myself ( how far can i go)So I gues i am 50-50 on this one.
Sail Fast Don't Heel
I like above all things to sail FAST. Heeling more than 15 degrees means I am sailing slower than I can sail. If a reef in the mainsail means I pick up 1/2 a knot in speed forget the heel.
I like above all things to sail FAST. Heeling more than 15 degrees means I am sailing slower than I can sail. If a reef in the mainsail means I pick up 1/2 a knot in speed forget the heel.
Rail Down/Ferrari at Redline
Sailing with the rail down is like massaging a Ferrari V-12 up through the gears, hitting the 8500rpm redline every time. Inefficient, not necessary and potentially expensive if you break anything....but once in a while, you just gotta do it for the thrill.
Sailing with the rail down is like massaging a Ferrari V-12 up through the gears, hitting the 8500rpm redline every time. Inefficient, not necessary and potentially expensive if you break anything....but once in a while, you just gotta do it for the thrill.
Whooppee!!
Efficiency and speed are not the " be all, end all' of sailing. My wife and I take every opportunity possible to practise handling our C27 in adverse conditions and attitudes (ie: washing the windows) and sometimes we do it just because it's exhilarating. Do your own thing, and enjoy it!
Efficiency and speed are not the " be all, end all' of sailing. My wife and I take every opportunity possible to practise handling our C27 in adverse conditions and attitudes (ie: washing the windows) and sometimes we do it just because it's exhilarating. Do your own thing, and enjoy it!
Up to the winch!
I only buried the rain once whiledesperate to win a race on the start. I had the one-fifty up with no reef in 25 knot winds. Yikes. When the gun went off, I hardened up and over we went. The water not only cover the rail, it covered the winch!! Speed 1.5 knots and going nowhere fast as every boat passed us, so we lowered sail, called the committee boat and dropped out. That was four years ago and I haven't even thought of diggin in the rail since that day.
I only buried the rain once whiledesperate to win a race on the start. I had the one-fifty up with no reef in 25 knot winds. Yikes. When the gun went off, I hardened up and over we went. The water not only cover the rail, it covered the winch!! Speed 1.5 knots and going nowhere fast as every boat passed us, so we lowered sail, called the committee boat and dropped out. That was four years ago and I haven't even thought of diggin in the rail since that day.
- Status