I've been sailing my c-22 for a couple months and I've realized that I'm a little apprehensive when it comes to heeling my boat. I realize that the keel will counter balance the wind but by how much? In other words, should I let her heel until the water touches the rail or is this too risky? It seems every time I trim my sails in a good wind it really heels fast, almost so it seems that its going to capsize. I realize perhaps that my fear is just beginner's jitters but does this boat stay put in a heavy heel? chris
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
mg
it's fine
the boat will heel over and when its too much will tend to roundup into the wind after spilling the air off the sail. putting the rail into the water is not the fastest way to sail but you are not going to capsize the boat. 15 to 20 degrees of heel is about right before i let the traveler down or lose some air by easing the mainsheet. on a really windy day , its sheet out , sheet in ,sheet out ,....... that tug on the rudder)weather helm) will tell you when you are overpowered and need to reef. good luck
the boat will heel over and when its too much will tend to roundup into the wind after spilling the air off the sail. putting the rail into the water is not the fastest way to sail but you are not going to capsize the boat. 15 to 20 degrees of heel is about right before i let the traveler down or lose some air by easing the mainsheet. on a really windy day , its sheet out , sheet in ,sheet out ,....... that tug on the rudder)weather helm) will tell you when you are overpowered and need to reef. good luck
S
Scott
Keel/Heel
The keel will keep you in the water, that is why it is so heavy. In most boats you'll find that half their weight is in the keel - it keeps you from tipping over - trust it. Sure, you can find stories about "knock downs" - which seem to inevitably occur to people in the middle of the ocean with big winds and too much sail. As MG stated - the sails are your throttle. If you feel like you are getting overpowered, just let those sheets out. Too much heel is bad only because you are sailing less efficiently. Also, you'll note that heel tends to be related to your point of sail. On a run or beam reach, there will be little or none; close hauled will produce the most pronounced heel. You are not alone - my wife's sole angst with sailing is that it is too "tippy." With her, I spend a lot of time underpowered (little sail) and on broad reaches. Until you are used to it, that sudden gust of wind and the heel that comes with it can be very disconerting! For me, on the other hand, the heel makes me feel like I should be on the cover of Sail magazine, soaked in salt spray, bow into ten foot swells - then the little girl on her water skis passes by and reminds me I'm sitting on Big Bear Lake. Enjoy!
The keel will keep you in the water, that is why it is so heavy. In most boats you'll find that half their weight is in the keel - it keeps you from tipping over - trust it. Sure, you can find stories about "knock downs" - which seem to inevitably occur to people in the middle of the ocean with big winds and too much sail. As MG stated - the sails are your throttle. If you feel like you are getting overpowered, just let those sheets out. Too much heel is bad only because you are sailing less efficiently. Also, you'll note that heel tends to be related to your point of sail. On a run or beam reach, there will be little or none; close hauled will produce the most pronounced heel. You are not alone - my wife's sole angst with sailing is that it is too "tippy." With her, I spend a lot of time underpowered (little sail) and on broad reaches. Until you are used to it, that sudden gust of wind and the heel that comes with it can be very disconerting! For me, on the other hand, the heel makes me feel like I should be on the cover of Sail magazine, soaked in salt spray, bow into ten foot swells - then the little girl on her water skis passes by and reminds me I'm sitting on Big Bear Lake. Enjoy!
D
Dick of Sylvan
Don't Get Wet
Water up to the rail isn't too bad, but it gets dicey when it starts to spill into the cockpit. Air vents can take water into bilge then which is also a drag! Best to use smaller jib and reef main before things get too tough. Loosening sheets works but in real strong gusts you tend to lose control till winds ease a bit. C-22's very seldom turn table they say, unless you lose your keel or it bounces into the trunk (keep locking bolt tight when sailing to help avoid this), and maybe if people in the water try to crawl back into boat over the mast are from that side in event the boat goes over on its side. A few C-22's are reported to have sunk under such circumstances. I guess that's one reason we have PFD's.
Water up to the rail isn't too bad, but it gets dicey when it starts to spill into the cockpit. Air vents can take water into bilge then which is also a drag! Best to use smaller jib and reef main before things get too tough. Loosening sheets works but in real strong gusts you tend to lose control till winds ease a bit. C-22's very seldom turn table they say, unless you lose your keel or it bounces into the trunk (keep locking bolt tight when sailing to help avoid this), and maybe if people in the water try to crawl back into boat over the mast are from that side in event the boat goes over on its side. A few C-22's are reported to have sunk under such circumstances. I guess that's one reason we have PFD's.
C
Chuck Britton
I feel the same
I have owned my 22 since Dec 22 and feel the same way about the heel. This is the first sailboat I have ever been on and am becoming more comfortable with it myself. We have been out about 7 times since I bought it and seem to get more confident each time we go out. I put an inclinometer on it and it instantly made me feel better knowing just how far we really were heeling. Only have had it about 15 degrees so far but feel as though before the year is out the rails will get a good washing. Good luck and happy sailing to all. Chuck
I have owned my 22 since Dec 22 and feel the same way about the heel. This is the first sailboat I have ever been on and am becoming more comfortable with it myself. We have been out about 7 times since I bought it and seem to get more confident each time we go out. I put an inclinometer on it and it instantly made me feel better knowing just how far we really were heeling. Only have had it about 15 degrees so far but feel as though before the year is out the rails will get a good washing. Good luck and happy sailing to all. Chuck
J
Jeff H
Sail Safely
Chris, Keep safety in mind when you are in wind conditions that will cause you to heel to the point of taking water into the cockpit. If you're by yourself or with other inexperienced sailors it's difficult to reach the sheets if they are below you and cleated in , so always keep them in your hands so you can adjust the sails before you get into trouble. The cockpit drains in a Catalina 22 aren't very big and you can put a lot of water in when it comes over the rail. Keep the hatch boards installed in windy conditions, this resists the flow of water into the cabin. In theory the Catalina 22 will sink if you fill the cabin and storage lockers. Beyond adjusting the sails to match the wind conditions, reefs and storm jibs, you can either sail to the point of wind that luffs the sail or let the main sheet out to dump wind. In a hard over heel your rudder will rotate out of the water and you will loose some tiller control, but steer into the wind to reduce the torque. Don Guillette (expert forum), I'm sure does a much better job of explaining it.
Chris, Keep safety in mind when you are in wind conditions that will cause you to heel to the point of taking water into the cockpit. If you're by yourself or with other inexperienced sailors it's difficult to reach the sheets if they are below you and cleated in , so always keep them in your hands so you can adjust the sails before you get into trouble. The cockpit drains in a Catalina 22 aren't very big and you can put a lot of water in when it comes over the rail. Keep the hatch boards installed in windy conditions, this resists the flow of water into the cabin. In theory the Catalina 22 will sink if you fill the cabin and storage lockers. Beyond adjusting the sails to match the wind conditions, reefs and storm jibs, you can either sail to the point of wind that luffs the sail or let the main sheet out to dump wind. In a hard over heel your rudder will rotate out of the water and you will loose some tiller control, but steer into the wind to reduce the torque. Don Guillette (expert forum), I'm sure does a much better job of explaining it.
D
Dick of Sylvan
Randy with the Scratched Head
Hey Randy: I agree that flat sails are the ticket for heavy wind, however you can still get a knock-down in a sudden wind shift. In Fremont Lake where I sail, a wind near a summer squall (we call them thunderstorms here) usually comes over a mountain ridge, forming swirls sort of like dust-devils. Sometimes they even lift a little water in mini-water spouts. One trys not to be on the water then, but conditions sometimes change rapidly and storms approach from the far side of the ridge with little warning. Keep your head above the water, Dick K.
Hey Randy: I agree that flat sails are the ticket for heavy wind, however you can still get a knock-down in a sudden wind shift. In Fremont Lake where I sail, a wind near a summer squall (we call them thunderstorms here) usually comes over a mountain ridge, forming swirls sort of like dust-devils. Sometimes they even lift a little water in mini-water spouts. One trys not to be on the water then, but conditions sometimes change rapidly and storms approach from the far side of the ridge with little warning. Keep your head above the water, Dick K.
C
Chris
Thanks to all
Wow! I didn't realize that my question would raise such an interest, but I'm please with all the advice and also the thought provoking repartee. I will say though that since my forum letter that I took the advice of some of you and have since been much more comfortable with the boat and how it heels. With the strong easterly winds that my area receives this time of year, sheeting in and out does help. The other day I had gusts clocking at 40 to 50 miles per hour with white caps hitting the deck. Not for the faint of heart nor for any novice but I did it. Ripped a couple slugs from the luff of my main sail and sprouted a few gray hairs but I survived none the less. But just recently there was a nice, steady westerly blowing on the lake and I found that with my sails trimmed with a moderate draft I only needed the rudder. Really, what it comes down to is confidence and having that 'feel' for your boat. Thanks again. Chris.
Wow! I didn't realize that my question would raise such an interest, but I'm please with all the advice and also the thought provoking repartee. I will say though that since my forum letter that I took the advice of some of you and have since been much more comfortable with the boat and how it heels. With the strong easterly winds that my area receives this time of year, sheeting in and out does help. The other day I had gusts clocking at 40 to 50 miles per hour with white caps hitting the deck. Not for the faint of heart nor for any novice but I did it. Ripped a couple slugs from the luff of my main sail and sprouted a few gray hairs but I survived none the less. But just recently there was a nice, steady westerly blowing on the lake and I found that with my sails trimmed with a moderate draft I only needed the rudder. Really, what it comes down to is confidence and having that 'feel' for your boat. Thanks again. Chris.
L
Larry W.
To heel, or not to heel
Chris; I would advise to get thee to a sailing class. Many questions, not just the ones here, would be answered. Sailing is like sex; easy to learn, but takes a long time and a lot of practice to master and if you think you know it all, that just shows how much you don't know. JMHO.
Chris; I would advise to get thee to a sailing class. Many questions, not just the ones here, would be answered. Sailing is like sex; easy to learn, but takes a long time and a lot of practice to master and if you think you know it all, that just shows how much you don't know. JMHO.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.