Hunter 26 handles much differently than Mac 26

[Jim Hopper]

I have just recently traded a Mac 26 (with 150 genoa) for a Hunter 26. Myself and 2 of my friends have had the same experience with this boat. When beating we have all 3 had the experience of losing steeing control. We usually regain control by easing the main sheet. The boat just seems to head up and I can't make it fall off even with max rudder. I think what happens is since the boat is powered mainly by the main(pun intended} it tends to want to go to windward. Last weekend I was going to fall off to avoid a fishing boat when a strong puff came up. I had to tack at the last minute to avoid the boat . It wasn't a comfortable feeling. Any suggestions for a novice Hunter sailor. ( I've been sailing for 20 years but not with this big a boat.)

 

[Steve Wright]

Yes, you are right

Stearing a larger sailboat is often combined with sail trim, and the larger the mainsail is the more this happens. In the Hunter 26, reef early. If you do not feel in control you need to reef. By the way, when I had a Mac-25 it sailed the sameas my Hunter-26.

 

[ed]

found the same

we have an '89 26.5 - and found the same. seems to be that almost critical point when wind at about 20 knots to put in a reef. but otherwise found that ours points to wind well with the reef and performance not affected much with the reef.am thinking of adjusing the mast rake when wind is in excess of 20knots to see if we can get another 5 knots or so before putting in the reef - does anyone have experience of this.ed 26.5 barnegate bay, n.j.

 

[Ron]

Try Reefing

I think most H26 owners would agree that you need to reef earlier on the H26 to maintain control and this is a function of the fractional rigging. The recent posting on 7/14 by Peter Suah called B&R Rig on the small boat site gives a very good explanation of why this type of rig acts the way it does. If you read it, you will understand why we sail the H26 with a reef in the main more often than other boats. Doesn't mean you go slower, you will just have more control.

 

[T J Furstenau]

Reef early, reef often

My Hobie 16 had reefing points on the sail, but my thought was "If it's windy enough to reef, it's too windy to sail." That was true for that boat, but with my H26, I just spent a week on Lake Erie and found myself reefed more than not and actually sailing under jib alone when I was looking for a slow relaxing ride, something I never did on the Hobie. (Sail just jib or look for relaxing ride!)With the H26, you'll find you actually get better speed/performance with a reefed sail in moderate to heavy winds. As others have often said, and will say again, "Reef early, reef often."Enjoy it.T J Furstenau

 

[Jim Hopper]

Thanks for all the quick responses

Thanks Steve,ed,T J, andRon. I will take your advice. I have reefed the boat once and yes it did handle better.

 

[Tom Wanderer]

What about tuning the rigging?

I have had the boat for 4 seasons now and have never experienced this weather helm before. Now I could be just more comfortable with the boat and pushing it harder, but I remember hearing that raking the mast back or foreward would fix it. Is there any truth to this and which way do I pull the mast?