was out the other day in 17-20 knots of wind. i usually sail with a reefed main ,but for fun tried just the genoa (113%). it was fine downwind but when i tacked into the wind i had tremendous lee helm, and actually could not get the boat to go to weather. have others had theis experience?
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Jon Bastien
Normal...
When sailing to weather with jib only, all of the sail's resistance to the wind is forward of the center of effort for the boat. This tries to push the front of the boat toward the leeward side, or produce lee helm. If you were on main sail alone, most of the resistance would be aft of the center of effort, pushing the stern of the boat to leeward, or producing (LOTS of!) weather helm. A balanced plan with the sail and jib will generally produce slight weather helm, but a much more controllable boat. My experiences with my H25 show that I can sail off the wind on the jib alone, but if I try it with main only, I tend to round up. Across the wind, I can use either sail fairly easily. To go to weather, I really need to put up at least a reefed main to be able to make headway. If I try to sail with only one sail when going to weather, I'll end up going more sideways than forward! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
When sailing to weather with jib only, all of the sail's resistance to the wind is forward of the center of effort for the boat. This tries to push the front of the boat toward the leeward side, or produce lee helm. If you were on main sail alone, most of the resistance would be aft of the center of effort, pushing the stern of the boat to leeward, or producing (LOTS of!) weather helm. A balanced plan with the sail and jib will generally produce slight weather helm, but a much more controllable boat. My experiences with my H25 show that I can sail off the wind on the jib alone, but if I try it with main only, I tend to round up. Across the wind, I can use either sail fairly easily. To go to weather, I really need to put up at least a reefed main to be able to make headway. If I try to sail with only one sail when going to weather, I'll end up going more sideways than forward! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
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Frank / MD / H260
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Jeff Houseman
Sailing to weather
With another crew member aboard, I often will sail with the headsail only in very gusty conditions. Yes, I have experienced the same issue plus it tends to drive the bow down. Reducing sail seems to help especially when coming about.
With another crew member aboard, I often will sail with the headsail only in very gusty conditions. Yes, I have experienced the same issue plus it tends to drive the bow down. Reducing sail seems to help especially when coming about.
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Andy Falls
Prefer main alone
I generally sail our 29.5 with a 150 and main. I will roller reef the genoa as the wind builds. When the wind kicks up a lot, I prefer to go with the main alone. I don't know if it is the roachy main or what but he weather helm is not to bad on main alone.
I generally sail our 29.5 with a 150 and main. I will roller reef the genoa as the wind builds. When the wind kicks up a lot, I prefer to go with the main alone. I don't know if it is the roachy main or what but he weather helm is not to bad on main alone.
Typically....
If you sail without a jib your boat will have a strong weather helm from the mainsail, and if you sail under jib alone the boat will have a strong lee helm. I have heard (sailors tails) that there can be additional stress on fractional rigs when sailing under a jib only. Suppose to less on a traditional rig. There have been reports of the rigs breaking when sailing under jib only too. I guess this is something that everyone needs to decide for themselves based on the conditions and the amount and quality of the crew. Here is an article from BoatTalk http://www.boattalk.com/boattalknews/111100.htm
If you sail without a jib your boat will have a strong weather helm from the mainsail, and if you sail under jib alone the boat will have a strong lee helm. I have heard (sailors tails) that there can be additional stress on fractional rigs when sailing under a jib only. Suppose to less on a traditional rig. There have been reports of the rigs breaking when sailing under jib only too. I guess this is something that everyone needs to decide for themselves based on the conditions and the amount and quality of the crew. Here is an article from BoatTalk http://www.boattalk.com/boattalknews/111100.htm
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Jim Anzalone
Re:Typically....
There was a article in Practical Sailor about sailing with just a jib in heavy weather. It is only for the strongest rigs. Somehow I think that leaves Hunter out! I have done it, but I think it is a bad idea! Your rig is much safer with a reefed main and no jib!
There was a article in Practical Sailor about sailing with just a jib in heavy weather. It is only for the strongest rigs. Somehow I think that leaves Hunter out! I have done it, but I think it is a bad idea! Your rig is much safer with a reefed main and no jib!
Re; re:Typically
Jim: I am not sure that you should consider Hunter one of the weaker rigs. I am not a structural engineer but when you consider that the B
Jim: I am not sure that you should consider Hunter one of the weaker rigs. I am not a structural engineer but when you consider that the B
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Jim A
Re; re:Typically
I am an electrical engineer and I fell the rig are weaker than ones with more stays like Catalina!
I am an electrical engineer and I fell the rig are weaker than ones with more stays like Catalina!
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