Hunter 356 in mast main overpowered

[Neil Spooner]

When sailing my 2003 H356 on a reach in any more than 15 kts I need to reef my in-mast main to prevent weather-helm.... is it the boat or me?
Any advice welcome.
2003 H 356 with original sails.

 

[quadrille38]

Is your boat one with no back stay and large Full roach main?
My 38 has the large main and 110% jib. With this configuration when wind hits 15 knots I need to reef main slightly. It’s unusual but you actually reef main first with this configuration. Boat flattens out and actually picks up speed. Too much heel and the wide beam acts like you are dragging a barn door through the water.

Another possibility is that since boat is 17 years old your main may be stretched and as a result you can’t flatten it out enough as the winds kick up.

 

[shemandr]

The 356 I had needed some reefing at around 15 kts. But the main was tired. I think ultimately you will need a new main. Why not now?

 

[Whatfiero1]

With a furling main u should see the wrinkles rolling up if it's time for a new sail Reef that's what that furling does for u endless reefing

 

[Neil Spooner]

Thank you...the sails are original but the previous owner only sailed the boat a dozen times. I do have some wrinkles towards the bottom, but put that down to the mast having so much bend.
Yes, it is the B&R rig with no backstay, but has a straight roach.
The only change I have made is fitting a second jib to the original so I can Twizzle downwind.
Would love a new suit of sails but can’t afford it now.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Can you take or have a photo of the mast showing pretend and /or rake. In mast furling should never have more than 1% of pre bend. Also the rake can determine if you have too much or too little regarding weather helm. Is the mainsail tensioned correctly in the mast? Good question on when to reef. May I suggest looking in the archives for Jim Seamans/Java who wrote much on the 356 and considered a guru on that boat. Sadly my friend is gone.

 

[seadaddler]

Reefing at that wind is normal and if properly reefed should sail very good and at good speed.
I reefed many times at that wind speed.
Nick

 

[chuckwayne]

In mast on the 356 should only have about 2" of prebend, the std reefing main gets 6". If there's too much prebend your main will have way too much draft in higher winds. So, pull the topping lift down to the gooseneck and sight up it - max bend should be around 2". Also, use the outhaul to flatten the main - in 15kts the foot should have almost no curve and the main should be very flat. the stock main was pretty stretchy and it's not unusual to have to start reefing at 15kts.