Hunter 170 Points of sail

[Doug Springer]

Does anyone know how close to the wind a Hunter 170 can sail before it begins to luff? If possible, can someone answer in degrees out of a 360 degree scale with 0 degrees being strait into the wind.

 

[Ed Smith]

I have the windvane

set at 50 degrees and this seems to be the closest I can get unless winds are high then of course you can get a little closer. I get the jib luffing first and then the Main. This means a huge difference when you come about cause you have to expect a large turn of 100 to 110 degrees instead of 90 degrees. Tough for Tacking in against the wind. Hope this gives you enough info. This boat not good for short close tacking.

 

[Ed Smith]

Sorry, I was off.

I have the wind vane set for 55 Degrees. That is 27 1/2 degrees each side of wind direction. That is apparent wind and that is what we deal with. I get much closer when the wind gets force four to five and I get some luff sometimes but I keep afloat and in lower half of force four this boat hangs in there at 27 1/2 degrees but a little toward the wind and she starts luffing, I use that as a guide to stay close to the wind when I have to go to weather.