We took delivery of a Hunter 356 with Selden in-mast furling this past fall. The leech shook so violently in winds over 20 knots that the hull vibrated. We re-positioned the rod kicker so we could sheet in the boom and stretch the leech a little more. Unfortunately the season ended before we could test out the change. Any ideas of why the leech shook so much? Happened from close to beam reach. More questions, can you use a larger roach with vertical battens? Will they work with this rig? Thanks.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tim Stodola
Hi Will, Welcome to the Doyle Sails Forum. There should be an adjustable leech line in your sail. If so, it would be located just above the Clew of the sail. There should be a small jam cleat for locking off the leech line after adjusting. And yes, a Doyle Zenith vertical batten mainsail can be used on the Hunter 356. The Zenith is now standard on the new Hylas yachts, and they also come with a Seldon RF Spar.
D
Daniel Jonas
We have had the same problem on our 356. There is a line in the leech, however, we have had a difficult time getting it to stay in the jam cleat. I have had to knot the line once it is in the jam cleat to get it to stay there. Pull it real tight and it eliminates the chatter. Frankly, I think the sail is cut just a little wrong for the 356. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
T
Tim Stodola
Leech problems
Depending on the sail design, excessive leech flutter could be the result of not enough leech hollow, (opposite of roach). If this is the case, it is difficult to trim out with leech line, and a minor refairing of the leech may be necessary. But, try the leech line first.
Depending on the sail design, excessive leech flutter could be the result of not enough leech hollow, (opposite of roach). If this is the case, it is difficult to trim out with leech line, and a minor refairing of the leech may be necessary. But, try the leech line first.
L
Larry W.
C
Chuck Wayne
leech flutter
Dan,Tim, this seems to be a problem with the 356 RF main-my jamcleat doesn't hold either, and the only way to stop the flutter I found was to tighten it so much the leech was cupped-bad. A tight vang only increased the transfer of the shaking to the boat, scaring my crew!
Dan,Tim, this seems to be a problem with the 356 RF main-my jamcleat doesn't hold either, and the only way to stop the flutter I found was to tighten it so much the leech was cupped-bad. A tight vang only increased the transfer of the shaking to the boat, scaring my crew!
C
Chip
More Leech Hollow
If it happens in more than one boat than it could be a sail design issue. A sailmaker can increase the amount of hollow in the leech. Vertical battens will also decrease the hook and the shaking.
If it happens in more than one boat than it could be a sail design issue. A sailmaker can increase the amount of hollow in the leech. Vertical battens will also decrease the hook and the shaking.
W
Will
More on the shaking leech
Thanks for the advice. I believe the problem is two fold – an improperly cut sail and and inproperly set vang. With the factory set vand we couldn't get the leech tight, the boom was abut 12 inches above the arch. We reset the vang and now can two block the main sheet. Climbing up the arch to adjust the leech line evertime the wind velocity changes is not something I want to do. Like Chuck, tighting the leech line enough to stop the flutter cupped the sail to the point of stall, kind of like have flaps fully extended. When the sail starts shaking the boat vibrates so much you can see the pedestal move several inches. I hope to get Tidewater and UK to go sailing in late March. I post the results. Again thanks for the imput
Thanks for the advice. I believe the problem is two fold – an improperly cut sail and and inproperly set vang. With the factory set vand we couldn't get the leech tight, the boom was abut 12 inches above the arch. We reset the vang and now can two block the main sheet. Climbing up the arch to adjust the leech line evertime the wind velocity changes is not something I want to do. Like Chuck, tighting the leech line enough to stop the flutter cupped the sail to the point of stall, kind of like have flaps fully extended. When the sail starts shaking the boat vibrates so much you can see the pedestal move several inches. I hope to get Tidewater and UK to go sailing in late March. I post the results. Again thanks for the imput
- Status
- Not open for further replies.