Just got back from Kentucky Lake with a bunch of Catalina 22's (Heartland of America Cruise). During this largely windless *cry week there were a lot of discussions about improving sailing performance of various boats. The Catalina 22 owners seemed to have an endless series of enhancements available to them to improve their boat's sailing characteristics (such things as 8:1 blocks on the backstay; an inner track for the Jib Block; improved traveler, etc.). When the discussion came to the Hunter 26 (or to the H-260) - I was a loss for ideas. I'm largely satisfied with the sailing performance of my boat - but if I wanted to improve it - what improvements would be possible? We have no backstay; no traveler, no jib block track. Have any of you made modifications that made you sail faster, point higher, etc. I appreciate your ideas. Tom Grass Grasshopper II H-26 #174 Carlyle, Illinois (St. Louis)
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The things that apply to the Catalina 22 are not exclusive to them. The same mods can apply to most boats. Of course, having no backstay means looking for some other way to deal with flattening your main. If you have no main traveler, put one in. No adjustable jib leads, add them. You can't possibly know the potential of your boat unless you've sailed an upgraded one. I went through this same dilema with my boat. It took some time, money, and sweat to do it, but what a difference.
Don't forget the bottom.
You can flare in the thru-hull fittings, the transducers and the knot meter sending units, also the keel and smooth around the centerboard slot so the board opening isn't too large and sloppy. Plus, you can lighten the boat of extra eguipment.
You can flare in the thru-hull fittings, the transducers and the knot meter sending units, also the keel and smooth around the centerboard slot so the board opening isn't too large and sloppy. Plus, you can lighten the boat of extra eguipment.
Improvements
Alan, Have you published any details of the changes you've made? For example - how & where did you install a traveler on a H-26? Also - did you add jib block tracks to your boat. If so - did you have to use a backing plate? Were they screwed into the deck? How about flattening the main? Are these tips already in the archives? Thanks for your help. Tom Grass Grasshopper II H-26 #174
Alan, Have you published any details of the changes you've made? For example - how & where did you install a traveler on a H-26? Also - did you add jib block tracks to your boat. If so - did you have to use a backing plate? Were they screwed into the deck? How about flattening the main? Are these tips already in the archives? Thanks for your help. Tom Grass Grasshopper II H-26 #174
Sailing improvements
You don't see much about enhancing the H26's sailing performance here. Usually, folks are doing project to improve its liveability. Here's a couple of ideas though: --Inside and outside jib tracks for 100%, 120%, and 135% jibs. --Tuff Luff (if there is no roller furling --Traveler (across the cockpit) --Cunningham --New Tiller and extension (Get rid of the pipe) --Whisker pole or sprit for Assym spinnaker --Light air drifter sail --Fatheaded Mainsail --Wind instrument for speed and direction (true and apparent) Check the balance of the boat. Have you added a lot of weight to the stern(batteries, outboards, fuel, etc.) Mark
You don't see much about enhancing the H26's sailing performance here. Usually, folks are doing project to improve its liveability. Here's a couple of ideas though: --Inside and outside jib tracks for 100%, 120%, and 135% jibs. --Tuff Luff (if there is no roller furling --Traveler (across the cockpit) --Cunningham --New Tiller and extension (Get rid of the pipe) --Whisker pole or sprit for Assym spinnaker --Light air drifter sail --Fatheaded Mainsail --Wind instrument for speed and direction (true and apparent) Check the balance of the boat. Have you added a lot of weight to the stern(batteries, outboards, fuel, etc.) Mark
Light air
I haven't added a traveler, but have noticed I can point at least 5 degrees higher if I hold the boom up past centerline - in light air. I have rigged a method to attach light line from the boom throught the cleat on the deck and to the winch. Again, for light air only, and I use line light enough that would break before the winch or cleat pulling out. It does make a notable differance - but installing a traveler will be in you way. In your favor, going down wind with the center board up and a wisker pole holding the jib out wing-in-wing, you will walk away from boats larger than the 26.
I haven't added a traveler, but have noticed I can point at least 5 degrees higher if I hold the boom up past centerline - in light air. I have rigged a method to attach light line from the boom throught the cleat on the deck and to the winch. Again, for light air only, and I use line light enough that would break before the winch or cleat pulling out. It does make a notable differance - but installing a traveler will be in you way. In your favor, going down wind with the center board up and a wisker pole holding the jib out wing-in-wing, you will walk away from boats larger than the 26.
Main to windward with boom vang
Racing on the Columbia this spring I used the boom vang, attached to the inner main sheet attachment point on the boom and to a stanchion brace, to bring the main to windward. We raced in 25 knot winds like this and had no problems with the stanchions. Pointing high the boom vang is not doing any useful work anyway. I did learn that in light winds, under ten knots, I walked away from larger, 30 to 35 foot, and heavier boats. In anything over ten knots their longer waterline gave them a faster hull speed and I came in last. Brigg Franklin, s/v Wand’rin Star USCG Licensed Marine Officer ASA Certified Sailing Instructor www.northstarsailing.org 45° 40.936' N, 122° 34.936' W
Racing on the Columbia this spring I used the boom vang, attached to the inner main sheet attachment point on the boom and to a stanchion brace, to bring the main to windward. We raced in 25 knot winds like this and had no problems with the stanchions. Pointing high the boom vang is not doing any useful work anyway. I did learn that in light winds, under ten knots, I walked away from larger, 30 to 35 foot, and heavier boats. In anything over ten knots their longer waterline gave them a faster hull speed and I came in last. Brigg Franklin, s/v Wand’rin Star USCG Licensed Marine Officer ASA Certified Sailing Instructor www.northstarsailing.org 45° 40.936' N, 122° 34.936' W
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