Improve tacking under mainsail only

[Scott_1965]

'79 Macgregor 21 I was sailing alone yesterday and had problems with the jib, so I only had the mainsail up.

I est. wind at about 8-10 knots. Everytime I tacked, I stalled out 1/2 way through the turn in 'irons'... the boat seems to have a lot of weather helm (I would think that would help it tack)?

I have the rudder pulled up about half way up. With the rudder all the way down, it doesn't seem to turn the boat... I do leave the motor down usually. Is this interfering with tacking?

Are there other setup suggestions other people may have used? I've been sailing a while, but seem to struggle with sail trim and such.

 

[Sumner]

We have had the same problem with our 26S. I haven't tried it yet, but it has been suggested to fall off some for just a bit and gather more speed before you try the tack. That makes sense to me as we are usually pointed into the wind as far as we could go before starting the tack. I'll bet it helps.

Also don't try and bring the main in too soon, let the front move well around first.

Good luck,

Sum

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[oreana123]

Leaving the rudder half way up creates huge stresses on the entire assy. The outboard is a large drag and will definitely cause you a problem getting through the eye of the wind. If you are sailing as close as you can to the wind, prior to the tack, you are doing what is called "pinching". This is an inefficient mode of sailing your boat. If you let the boat point further off the wind, the effct is to go to weather faster, even tho you are pointing less high. This can be a good thing if you wish to deal with higher winds and don't want to reef, sailing into a slight stall is called a "fisherman's reef". This point is not a good point of sail to initiate a tack, you should fall off first to gain momentum, as Sum stated.

I have always said the stock rudder was not the best wing to be flying underwater, but your stock rudder should be able to control the boat in the winds you are stating. My 26D sails just fine when under main alone, I have sailed this way in very high winds after reefing the main, then stripping off the foresail. See if you can find a local, experienced sailor to go with you next time. John S

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

I've sailed my V21 many times with just the main. Strong weather helm in any decent wind conditions. I drop the keel most of the way down in these situations(have gotten over 4 mph in moderate breeze according to my gps on main alone with just me and the pooch handling the boat). Weight balance on the boat plays a factor also. I've found it easier to go to wind and tack under main or full sails with less weight at the stern. Even swinging the 50-odd lb outboard up out of the water and tilting forward helps the weight transfer more toward the bow (and keeps the uphaul from catching on the prop).
As stated a bit earlier, fall off a bit first if your're already pinching into the wind. I also sit a bit more forward and delay shifting to the new windward side during a tack until the boom makes it completely accross the cockpit and is beginning to fill with wind(I weigh about 200 lbs).

 

[MrBill_FLL]

or you can just jibe... (less than 13knts is pretty easy/safe)

I have the same issue, but if I fall off, pick up speed, then tack, it will work, even thru a 3' chop.

-never ever sail with the rudder not completely down!

fwiw, I've seen 7.3 KNTS (cog) on just the main...

 

[Scott_1965]

Thanks for the replies, sorry haven't been able to login in a while... Raising the motor helped out a lot. I singlehand a lot and it's a task that I'll commit to doing seeing it impoves tacking a lot. I still feel like I'm in a firedrill handling the boat by myself so I was skipping raising the motor.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

a tillerpilot solved the fire drill issues for me.

 

[timebandit]

I have added about 70# of lead to the bow of my boat to help it cut through the waves rather than bounce over them.

I think the extra weight helps keep the bow from being blown around by the wind when tacking.

When not alone have someone sit up front and see if this helps you.

 

[Freedom77]

The 21 has such a big main that it is difficult to turn. If you bear off a bit and then put the helm to leeward it helps. also boats don't pivot on the rudder but on the keel, which provides lateral resistance. ALWAYS keep keel down and locked. with the big main you asking for a knockdown if the keel is not down. The jib is what pulls you through the wind on a tack, unless you have a catboat. Good luck and fair winds...