I am learning to sail a 1978 Hunter 33 I recently purchased. I love the boat and its sea worthyness, but I am having a problem trimming the sails to reduce the weather helm as the wind builds. Do I just need to reef the main at winds above 15 knots? Any advice on sail trim in winds 15 mph and higher is appreciated.
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Don Bodemann
Yup, shorten sail
Hi Bill, Welcome to the very elite family of Cherubini Hunter "sleek" deck owners. That is the first (1974) 25s and the 77
Hi Bill, Welcome to the very elite family of Cherubini Hunter "sleek" deck owners. That is the first (1974) 25s and the 77
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Don Bodemann
A little more info
Bill, If your jib is bigger than the original 110, and assuming you have a furler, it would also be a good idea to take in a couple of turns on the furler. As I understand it, any sail area aft of the mast, including that of a genny, will contribute to weather helm Don Bodemann
Bill, If your jib is bigger than the original 110, and assuming you have a furler, it would also be a good idea to take in a couple of turns on the furler. As I understand it, any sail area aft of the mast, including that of a genny, will contribute to weather helm Don Bodemann
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Bill Reddick
My genoa is a 150. Your idea make sense. The genny comes back pretty far aft of the mast and contributes to the force aft of the mast, i.e. weather helm. A couple of weeks ago I was sailing and it was blowing between 20
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Sam Lust
But Wait ---- There's more!
Dropping the traveler down to leeward has a major effect on heel and thus weather helm, and the 33, apparently more than most boats seems to be overly sensitive to it. My traveler gets dropped way down very early. The 33 also seems to be very sensitive to tweaking. Tweak early and right and she goes good, get lazy or forget and you'll get left behind.
Dropping the traveler down to leeward has a major effect on heel and thus weather helm, and the 33, apparently more than most boats seems to be overly sensitive to it. My traveler gets dropped way down very early. The 33 also seems to be very sensitive to tweaking. Tweak early and right and she goes good, get lazy or forget and you'll get left behind.
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Al
Sail Mag. article
There is a very good article in the recent SAIL mag about reducing sail area in heavy wind. I'm pretty sure it even applies to the "elite churuboni" owners.
There is a very good article in the recent SAIL mag about reducing sail area in heavy wind. I'm pretty sure it even applies to the "elite churuboni" owners.
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Paul
Not a great article
Yeah, I read that article. I'm not sure his advice works for the Hunters with B&R rigs, or any fractional rig with a 100% jib for that matter. For example, the author advises that the first thing to do when you decide to shorten sail is roll up the jib. That's probably ok advice for a masthead-genoa setup like you'd find on a Catalina. The first thing I *always* do on my h336 is put in the first reef in the main, and leave the jib rolled out. This is my favorite way to sail the boat, for that matter. Weather helm disappears, and the boat is flat and fast in all but winds less than 12 knots. As any sailboarder could tell you, the last thing you want to deal with weather helm is to reduce sail area in front of the mast.
Yeah, I read that article. I'm not sure his advice works for the Hunters with B&R rigs, or any fractional rig with a 100% jib for that matter. For example, the author advises that the first thing to do when you decide to shorten sail is roll up the jib. That's probably ok advice for a masthead-genoa setup like you'd find on a Catalina. The first thing I *always* do on my h336 is put in the first reef in the main, and leave the jib rolled out. This is my favorite way to sail the boat, for that matter. Weather helm disappears, and the boat is flat and fast in all but winds less than 12 knots. As any sailboarder could tell you, the last thing you want to deal with weather helm is to reduce sail area in front of the mast.
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Al
SAIL article
Although I don't have the article with me, I do remember the author makes note of the difference in reefing techniques between fractional rigged and masthead rigged boats. He states that fractional rigged boats should reduce their main first (just you suggest).
Although I don't have the article with me, I do remember the author makes note of the difference in reefing techniques between fractional rigged and masthead rigged boats. He states that fractional rigged boats should reduce their main first (just you suggest).
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Gary Wyngarden
Ask Don
Hi Bill, One suggestion I would have is to ask Don Guillette in the Sail Trim Forum. I suspect Don will suggest things like: 1. Flatten the main with the outhaul and halyard to depower it. 2. Change the angle of attack by easing the traveller to leeward (as already suggested)which will also depower the main and reduce weather helm inducing heel. 3. Spill wind off the top of the sail by letting out the mainsheet. This stuff all works on my 335. Don will probably have some other suggestions too. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Hi Bill, One suggestion I would have is to ask Don Guillette in the Sail Trim Forum. I suspect Don will suggest things like: 1. Flatten the main with the outhaul and halyard to depower it. 2. Change the angle of attack by easing the traveller to leeward (as already suggested)which will also depower the main and reduce weather helm inducing heel. 3. Spill wind off the top of the sail by letting out the mainsheet. This stuff all works on my 335. Don will probably have some other suggestions too. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Ed Schenck
"Churuboni's"
Aren't all Churuboni's masthead rigs? Any that I have seen are. I helped sail a new H466 from an in-water show to the marina a couple of weeks ago. It's a B
Aren't all Churuboni's masthead rigs? Any that I have seen are. I helped sail a new H466 from an in-water show to the marina a couple of weeks ago. It's a B
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Ken Palmer
Not a Hunter H33(X)
The original question was about a 1978 H33. I believe the mast is rigged the same as my 1981 H33. Yes, you should think about reefing at wind speeds of 15 knots and above. If you have a 150% genoa as I do, you better roll some of that back in too. If you don't, she will round up on you. You will loose control, and your sailing experience won't be so fun any more. Trying to steer out of the rounding is like putting on the brakes. Just take a look behind you while that is going on. The water is just boiling as it makes its way around the rudder. I guess that can't do the rudder and associated components any good either. Properly trimmed and furled, you won't notice any loss of boat speed. Get ready for a fun sail. With waves, get ready to get wet also. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
The original question was about a 1978 H33. I believe the mast is rigged the same as my 1981 H33. Yes, you should think about reefing at wind speeds of 15 knots and above. If you have a 150% genoa as I do, you better roll some of that back in too. If you don't, she will round up on you. You will loose control, and your sailing experience won't be so fun any more. Trying to steer out of the rounding is like putting on the brakes. Just take a look behind you while that is going on. The water is just boiling as it makes its way around the rudder. I guess that can't do the rudder and associated components any good either. Properly trimmed and furled, you won't notice any loss of boat speed. Get ready for a fun sail. With waves, get ready to get wet also. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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