Knot Speed Check... Am I slow?

[Cheeky Monkey]

I have finally been getting out in my Hunter 26 and having a great time with my family on Green Bay. But I am wondering if I am getting the most out of my sail.From Oconto to Little Sturgeon, about 14 NM, I was running 2-3 kts in 5 to 7 NE wind on a E-SE tack. By early afternoon we were at 4-5.5 knts with an 8-12 knot wind. Our trip took us just about 5 hours to complete. We were running a full main and jib and all speeds were clocked by GPS.Upon arrival at the marina we met another boat from our marina who said they popped on the genoa plus sails in a Hunter 32 and made it in roughly 2 hours. I have yet to get the boat much over 5-6 knots in wind up to 12 or 14 knots. Am I getting the most from my sail? So I start wondering... hmmm, am I slow boat, or innefficient?

 

[GuyT]

I think the H32 guy was yankin your chain.

14 KM in 2 hours is 7 KM/Hr. Thats close to his max hull speed and he drew a straight line. He did say "roughly" 2 hours - maybe it was 2.99 and he rounded down.Your speeds are fine, how far are you heeled to get the 6 Knots? Even 6 Knots in a 26 is pretty exciting isn't it?

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Heeled and loving it

We were heeled at about 30 degrees. Very exciting on an almost beam reach. Unfortunately it was only for the last hour of the sail.The outhaul line on my sail seems to drift and I need to replace it but how tight should my outhaul be?

 

[Jack h23.5]

If you are heeling at 30 degrees..

Your outhaul should be tight. You want the sail flat.