I have a 2004 hunter 33, it has a large roach non-furling main and a 110% jib. I race in the non-spin phrf class. I am having a terrible time in light air off the wind legs. Last night the "wind" was 2-3 knots and there was a long beam reach leg. We watched the boats larger and smaller than us with their 150% geonas pull away from us. I was much more competitave in my previous traditionally rigged boat. I find that the 33 needs 10+ knots before we could even think about competing. Any thoughts or advice.
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More sail is almost always better than more rating
Im most fleets you gain a little in handicapp for using a smaller jib, but you give up way more in light air performance. its very hard to compete against big jibs with a 130. You should concider a 150 for racing in light air.
Im most fleets you gain a little in handicapp for using a smaller jib, but you give up way more in light air performance. its very hard to compete against big jibs with a 130. You should concider a 150 for racing in light air.
May not be for racing....but...
(http://www.rcryachts.com/fractional.htm) talks a lot about that advantages of a fractional rig including the following: Fractional rigs require fewer sails: since the power of the frac rig is in the main, the headsails are smaller and you don't need as many for racing. If you end up with the wrong headsail up on a frac rig, it is not as detrimental as it is on a masthead rig. The total number of sails on a fractional-rigged boat is usually less than on a masthead.
(http://www.rcryachts.com/fractional.htm) talks a lot about that advantages of a fractional rig including the following: Fractional rigs require fewer sails: since the power of the frac rig is in the main, the headsails are smaller and you don't need as many for racing. If you end up with the wrong headsail up on a frac rig, it is not as detrimental as it is on a masthead rig. The total number of sails on a fractional-rigged boat is usually less than on a masthead.
Light air sailing...
...is the most challenging of all. However, loosing speed on a reach means that you are having sail trim control problems not sail choices. True, a large overlapping genoa will be faster and the credit you receive on your phrf for the smaller sail is, in general, not worth it. The perfect sail for these conditions in JAM would be a high clew reacher. The larger your sail inventory the greater number of choices you have for the 'right' sail. Your main, is in fact, the major power for your boat. Yours in particular has a large roach for added sail area, perfect for reaching. Your boat has its disadvantages, particularly beating, but off the wind is to your advantge and you need to capitalize on it.
...is the most challenging of all. However, loosing speed on a reach means that you are having sail trim control problems not sail choices. True, a large overlapping genoa will be faster and the credit you receive on your phrf for the smaller sail is, in general, not worth it. The perfect sail for these conditions in JAM would be a high clew reacher. The larger your sail inventory the greater number of choices you have for the 'right' sail. Your main, is in fact, the major power for your boat. Yours in particular has a large roach for added sail area, perfect for reaching. Your boat has its disadvantages, particularly beating, but off the wind is to your advantge and you need to capitalize on it.
150 Genoa
A 150 will not clear the stays. I had a sail maker look at the rig, he could make the jib a little larger, but not enough to make a difference. I guess that I will just have to wait for my wind!
A 150 will not clear the stays. I had a sail maker look at the rig, he could make the jib a little larger, but not enough to make a difference. I guess that I will just have to wait for my wind!
Larger OK for Reaching
Because the Shrouds are so far outboard, a Larger Sail can't be sheeted in close enough for for going Up wind, or beating. However a larger sail designed for reaching can be utilized since the sheeting angle for a reach is much wider. As was suggested earlier, a higher clewed reacher with the use of a barber haul should work nicely. You will take a penalty based on the size, but it will be worth it.
Because the Shrouds are so far outboard, a Larger Sail can't be sheeted in close enough for for going Up wind, or beating. However a larger sail designed for reaching can be utilized since the sheeting angle for a reach is much wider. As was suggested earlier, a higher clewed reacher with the use of a barber haul should work nicely. You will take a penalty based on the size, but it will be worth it.
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