Max. heel

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As I have stated in the past, keep your boat within 12-14 degrees max thru control of sail either letting the sails out and/o reducing sail area depending on the wind. I have seen small boats round up but also have seen them sink when they went to and over the riding moment of the boat and sink.

crazy dave

 

[marxtj]

In other words, the inclinometer is the instrument, but not a necessary purchase. Thanks, we will go with our guts and the screams....

 

[solosail]

The boat is self righting.

Once the keel pass 10:00 am and the mast pass 4:00pm the boat will roll.

Your best sailing is around 20 degrees of heel.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Previously posted: Once the keel pass 10:00 am and the mast pass 4:00pm the boat will roll.

Really?
Or did you mean the mast passed 10am and the keel at 4:00 pm?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Forget what was just said.

If you have passengers on board and wish to be the sailor from hell and scare them to death wherein they will not longer sail with you, then go over 20 degrees. If the winds are howling, maybe then you can roll over further for the thrill while throwing yourself and others all around in the cabin and cockpit injuring them and if you are lucky, then you might get the thrill of rolling over. What a whoot! No sir, what a fool to put anyone in harms way.

I have been on boats for over 55 years and have sailed under many conditions to include hurricanes not by choice. As an avid small boat sailor and dealer with the credit of the Hunter 23.5 under my belt, I know alot about small boat sailing and the best advice has and will be no more of a heel over 14 degrees because in most cases, you have more wetted surface in the water slowing you down vs. flatter. I have sailed with many racers over the years on small boats and they taught me alot sir. Flatter is faster using sail control with little weather helm on the rudder. In fact I have been amazed at some who raced only thru control of the sails and would win without use of the rudder and that takes expereince. Until you get the experience under your belt, stay under 14 degree heel for saftey of others and yourself.

dave condon

 

[emergpa1]

To the others, you would feel more at home on the Sesame Street forum.

OUCH!

Ha ha I was just reading this forum a and seeing some of the funny off-the-cuff comments and answers, i was wondering about the calendar date of the posts. Seeing that they were September 2, the day before Labor Day, I suspect maybe a little excessive drinking was involved in some of these?

 

[Abacusdog]

First post and complete sailing noob, but I was wondering the same thing for my newly purchased Hunter 25.5.

Frankly, as Crazy Dave states, I just scared the sea legs (lake legs?) off my family this past weekend sailing in 12mph wind (gusts up to 20mph) with my main fully raised and a 115 up front. We took a gust and I presume we heeled about 35 degrees. The water was about 6 inches from spilling over on Starboard. After about .75 seconds of trying to manually correct, I simply leg go of the tiller and "skidded" out of it. Seriously, had my 12 year old daughter in tears, which isn't what you want from your 1st mate and "Sail Wench" (no rolling furler for me).

Oh, I take basic keel boat classes next week, have a inclineometer (2 actually - a 10 and a 45) on order, and need to learn how to reef my main before I take her out again .

Yea, I'm learning .

 

[isaksp00]

You probably don't actually need an inclinometer, and can do it by feel and experience. My boat came with one, and I find that I head up or spill wind at about 15 deg, by feel. I might hit 20 briefly on occasion. I have never hit 90

 

[twodzusfittings]

I was looking around to see where, if I would buy one, would I put it. Then Irealized there is one on my compass. Go figure.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Abacusdog;

If your wife is reluctant to sail with you again, then I would suggest that she go with you to sail school and best advice to you sir, let the instructor teach her, not you. You know trying to teach a better half can be disatourous and I have been there too just like you. I know you want to learn and enjoy, just take it a little slower.

There is an expression once told to me and oh how so true it is. "When you respect the water, it will respect you; otherwise, it can kill you." President Reagan.

crazy dave condon

 

[anchorclanker]

I had an inclinometer on the main hatch. I couldnt ever read it so one day got up real close and tapped it. Just as I made the determination it was empty, it fell to the floor. I have one in the compass though so its no loss. I probably wont look at it anyway as I can judge angles by eye pretty close.

From everything ive read over the years, I consider anything aproaching 20 degrees extreme and requires an experienced crew. Taking people without any sailing experience out and scaring the hell out of them, and especially kids, people who could get into serious trouble or even die should a knockdown occur, should be avoided at all costs.

To me, sailing isnt about speed or bending the boat over, its about relaxing and learning to master the powers of wind and sea, knowing no one will ever master them. Enjoying the day and returning to port safe and sound should be the primary objective.

 

[inarathree]

I agree with both Daves. My H22 will round up at about 25 degrees, and there is nothing I can do about it. I have had a 150 genny and full main out in 15+knt winds, and still couldnt bury the rail, she would round up about 2 or 3 inches from it. I usually sail by myself, so I dont have the weight to put on the windward rail. Heeling and rounding up is most scary when its unexpected. As you sail more you will be able to see/feel it coming, and prepare. As a gust comes up, allow yourself to head up a bit. It will keep you from heeling as much.

As for an inclinometer... unless you are racing, I wouldnt bother buying one, you will know when she is sailing fastest. Just try to sail as flat as possible for any PoS.

And last bit of advice... when taking sailing lessons, have your wife take the same lessons, but not in the same class as you. She will feel less intimidated when you are not there. And then when you sail together, alternate days being captain. And remember you werent in her class, and unless you both watched the same video tape, information might have been delivered differently.

Dont be discouraged by the snarky comments. Its all in good fun, but shouldnt be directed at a noob. Keep asking questions, the real answers will eventually be posted.