After a month of owning my first boat, a 1981 O'Day 30, I finally got out in winds about 20 knots. On a long beam reach I found that I had to lean on the wheel and maintain a 45 degree rudder in order to maintain course. The main was out to the shrouds. I have a shoal keel and the centerboard is stuck up until I haul the boat. During puffs it was more than a strain to keep from completely rounding up. If this is not the way it should be then I guess I have a blown out main, a badly tuned masthead rig, should have reefed before sailing or should have stayed home. Thanks;
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Sailing Adjustments
It sounds like you were overpowered. Reefing the main would have reduced the pressure on the helm. The lack of a centerboard didn't help either but, as you indicated, that will have to wait until haulout.
It sounds like you were overpowered. Reefing the main would have reduced the pressure on the helm. The lack of a centerboard didn't help either but, as you indicated, that will have to wait until haulout.
Try just the jib
Leave the main down, fly the jib. Should give you better helm control. But still won't overpower you.
Leave the main down, fly the jib. Should give you better helm control. But still won't overpower you.
Charlie GruetznerReduce your sails, aka, REEF
I'm not familiar with the O'Day 30, but I've sailed a Neptune 16, and now a Catalina 22. I recommend that you reef the main sail earlier, before the winds get so high. Also, I think that if you do not have a furling genoa, then you should put a smaller jib on when the wind picks up. If your O'Day 30 is a mast head rigged sloop, then she'll sail better with a headsail. If you have a fractional rig, it should sail OK on just the main sail.
I'm not familiar with the O'Day 30, but I've sailed a Neptune 16, and now a Catalina 22. I recommend that you reef the main sail earlier, before the winds get so high. Also, I think that if you do not have a furling genoa, then you should put a smaller jib on when the wind picks up. If your O'Day 30 is a mast head rigged sloop, then she'll sail better with a headsail. If you have a fractional rig, it should sail OK on just the main sail.
Weather helm
Hi Steve - As others said below, you were overpowered with that much weather helm. With the rudder at 45 degrees to keep the boat from rounding up, you're essentially dragging a brake which slows you down. Reef the main - heck, double reef it if you have to, in order to let the headsail (assuming you are using one) help hold the bow down. Travel down and crack off the wind a bit and see what happens. Like our friend Charlie said, part of the fun is experimenting and seeing what works! Don't stay home! Enjoy, Trevor
Hi Steve - As others said below, you were overpowered with that much weather helm. With the rudder at 45 degrees to keep the boat from rounding up, you're essentially dragging a brake which slows you down. Reef the main - heck, double reef it if you have to, in order to let the headsail (assuming you are using one) help hold the bow down. Travel down and crack off the wind a bit and see what happens. Like our friend Charlie said, part of the fun is experimenting and seeing what works! Don't stay home! Enjoy, Trevor
Steve, read this link
http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?fno=21&uid=F&SKU=2004292105608.8
http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?fno=21&uid=F&SKU=2004292105608.8
Me too!
I had a similar situation this summer. I'm from Boothbay and this year bought a 1980 O'Day 28 w 4' 6" keel. Had the main and a roller furler genoa about 80% up when we quickly had a buildup to 20 kts. She was running at 7 - 7.2 knots (from GPS) and was definitely overpowered on a broad reach. Rudder was approximately 30% over and it was too risky to head up into the wind and shorten sail. Rode into the lee of an island and then furled the genoa and took her home on just the main. I learned I should have planned better and prepared to reef early. Also I need to PRACTICE reefing under calmer conditions and have someone experienced check that the reefing lines are rigged properly. Hope this helps. Definitely keep sailing and plan for trips down east where the coast and islands are spectacular! - Ron Richardson - Also check out The Basin and Sebasco Harbor near Phippsberg - not far from you.
I had a similar situation this summer. I'm from Boothbay and this year bought a 1980 O'Day 28 w 4' 6" keel. Had the main and a roller furler genoa about 80% up when we quickly had a buildup to 20 kts. She was running at 7 - 7.2 knots (from GPS) and was definitely overpowered on a broad reach. Rudder was approximately 30% over and it was too risky to head up into the wind and shorten sail. Rode into the lee of an island and then furled the genoa and took her home on just the main. I learned I should have planned better and prepared to reef early. Also I need to PRACTICE reefing under calmer conditions and have someone experienced check that the reefing lines are rigged properly. Hope this helps. Definitely keep sailing and plan for trips down east where the coast and islands are spectacular! - Ron Richardson - Also check out The Basin and Sebasco Harbor near Phippsberg - not far from you.
New sailors....
...I highly recommend you learn to "heave to" it will make your sailing life a lot easier should you have to reef, or make other adjustments, or just take a rest. There are two common ways to heave to, one is to back wind the jib and lash the tiller to leeward, with the main loosely trimmed. The other is to "heave to" with main alone, by using a preventer and the mainsheet to position the boom out by the shrouds. The main will flop lazily back and forth with the hull abeam. Next time you take your boat out, practice heaving to, you'll be surprised how useful the maneuver can be.
...I highly recommend you learn to "heave to" it will make your sailing life a lot easier should you have to reef, or make other adjustments, or just take a rest. There are two common ways to heave to, one is to back wind the jib and lash the tiller to leeward, with the main loosely trimmed. The other is to "heave to" with main alone, by using a preventer and the mainsheet to position the boom out by the shrouds. The main will flop lazily back and forth with the hull abeam. Next time you take your boat out, practice heaving to, you'll be surprised how useful the maneuver can be.
Stuck Keel
I was able to drop the stuck centerboard on my O'Day 25 without hauling it (when the boat is on the trailer, the centerboard is inaccessible). I took a cheap machete and went under the boat, gently sliding the machete between the centerboard and the trunk. Lots of junk came out (mostly dead marine life), and the keel dropped about 4 inches. I climbed back on board, loosened the lilne, and it dropped the rest of the way. About a year later, I ran it soft aground in some mud in the Texas ICW, and it stuck again. Repeated the procedure, and it came right back down. It's worth a shot instead of waiting to haul the boat. BTW, be sure to tie off the centerboard, giving it a few inches to drop. The CB on my O'Day 25 weighs about 80 lbs. Not near as heavy as a keel, but still enough to do some damage if it drops too far too unexpectedly.
I was able to drop the stuck centerboard on my O'Day 25 without hauling it (when the boat is on the trailer, the centerboard is inaccessible). I took a cheap machete and went under the boat, gently sliding the machete between the centerboard and the trunk. Lots of junk came out (mostly dead marine life), and the keel dropped about 4 inches. I climbed back on board, loosened the lilne, and it dropped the rest of the way. About a year later, I ran it soft aground in some mud in the Texas ICW, and it stuck again. Repeated the procedure, and it came right back down. It's worth a shot instead of waiting to haul the boat. BTW, be sure to tie off the centerboard, giving it a few inches to drop. The CB on my O'Day 25 weighs about 80 lbs. Not near as heavy as a keel, but still enough to do some damage if it drops too far too unexpectedly.
weather hel
Hi guys I had the same problem with my 88 cat 30 TR I did a donut one afternoon In 35knt of wind sailing on double reefed main and a small piece of jib .I had a new fuler Installed and the rigger raked my mast back when he changed my head stay .Catalina rakes the mast on a C30 5" mine was raked about 12"and bent at the lower stays the rigger said he was tuneing the mast for speed , then showed me two boats around me that had the same rake the boats where Cape dorys both 30s when I moved the mast back to the 5" rake the boat started to sail with just a bit of weather helm Im glad my new sails wasent the problem The ODay is a wide boat and mite not like the rake on the mast.Inch it forward and see If It sails better .I can sail in18 knts of wind with full sail just pinching up to windward alittle bit at 20 knts I roll my head sail from 150% to about 120% and reef my main to the first reef point. last sunday we where out in 35 knots of wind and used my second reef on the main and about 70% of the jib and we where flying .I just got the rig tuned perfect but the rigg was pulled monday and the boat was put on the cradle and Its all over. what a bummmmmer John
Hi guys I had the same problem with my 88 cat 30 TR I did a donut one afternoon In 35knt of wind sailing on double reefed main and a small piece of jib .I had a new fuler Installed and the rigger raked my mast back when he changed my head stay .Catalina rakes the mast on a C30 5" mine was raked about 12"and bent at the lower stays the rigger said he was tuneing the mast for speed , then showed me two boats around me that had the same rake the boats where Cape dorys both 30s when I moved the mast back to the 5" rake the boat started to sail with just a bit of weather helm Im glad my new sails wasent the problem The ODay is a wide boat and mite not like the rake on the mast.Inch it forward and see If It sails better .I can sail in18 knts of wind with full sail just pinching up to windward alittle bit at 20 knts I roll my head sail from 150% to about 120% and reef my main to the first reef point. last sunday we where out in 35 knots of wind and used my second reef on the main and about 70% of the jib and we where flying .I just got the rig tuned perfect but the rigg was pulled monday and the boat was put on the cradle and Its all over. what a bummmmmer John
Ye Gads Mate!
You were just sailing! Learning the wind? All have given you good advice. I will add it helps to look into the wind and shout, "Get around here, " your boats name " and then balance your ability to stand about, input controls and save the boat from what it could possibly do with the keel up! Your learning, Mate, Good Sailing.
You were just sailing! Learning the wind? All have given you good advice. I will add it helps to look into the wind and shout, "Get around here, " your boats name " and then balance your ability to stand about, input controls and save the boat from what it could possibly do with the keel up! Your learning, Mate, Good Sailing.
Mainsail controls
Steve, you may want to check your rigging and see if you have control lines available to flatten the main. Outhaul, cunningham, and boom vang will help to flatten the main. As has been stated, dropping the mainsheet traveller if you have one will help spill the wind. Joe mentioned heaving to. This is one of the single most important things to learn IMHO. Once you practice heaving to, you will feel much more at ease, in heavy weather, knowing you can "stop" if you need to, with control! Eric
Steve, you may want to check your rigging and see if you have control lines available to flatten the main. Outhaul, cunningham, and boom vang will help to flatten the main. As has been stated, dropping the mainsheet traveller if you have one will help spill the wind. Joe mentioned heaving to. This is one of the single most important things to learn IMHO. Once you practice heaving to, you will feel much more at ease, in heavy weather, knowing you can "stop" if you need to, with control! Eric
Heaving to...for the novice
It's remarkably easy. Turn upwind so you are sailing close-hauled on port tack (wind coming over the port side and sails on the starboard side of the boat). Make sure the area is clear to tack, then come about onto starboard tack but leave the jibsheet cleated. Then smartly push the tiller to leeward and ease the mainsheet. The boat will come upright and drift very slowly to leeward leaving a smooth wake to windward. Tie the tller off to keep it from moving. Adjusting the mainsheet, jib sheet and rudder angle will vary the angle that the boat lies to the wind, somewhere between beam on and 45 degrees. I prefer pointing slightly upwind because the boat doesn't roll as much. If you need to reef, then ease the mainsheet completely so the sail is luffing freely and not binding in the mast track. If you don't need to reef, sheet in slightly so the sail doesn't flog. Heaving-to on starboard tack is recommended because it gives you right of way (technically the boat is still under way). Also, most boats have the sail controls on the starboard side so you can reef or adjust sails without the boom or sails being in the way. When it's time to get going, just uncleat the jibsheet so the sail slides through the fore-triangle to the leeward side, center the tiller, sheet in the main and you're off! Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
It's remarkably easy. Turn upwind so you are sailing close-hauled on port tack (wind coming over the port side and sails on the starboard side of the boat). Make sure the area is clear to tack, then come about onto starboard tack but leave the jibsheet cleated. Then smartly push the tiller to leeward and ease the mainsheet. The boat will come upright and drift very slowly to leeward leaving a smooth wake to windward. Tie the tller off to keep it from moving. Adjusting the mainsheet, jib sheet and rudder angle will vary the angle that the boat lies to the wind, somewhere between beam on and 45 degrees. I prefer pointing slightly upwind because the boat doesn't roll as much. If you need to reef, then ease the mainsheet completely so the sail is luffing freely and not binding in the mast track. If you don't need to reef, sheet in slightly so the sail doesn't flog. Heaving-to on starboard tack is recommended because it gives you right of way (technically the boat is still under way). Also, most boats have the sail controls on the starboard side so you can reef or adjust sails without the boom or sails being in the way. When it's time to get going, just uncleat the jibsheet so the sail slides through the fore-triangle to the leeward side, center the tiller, sheet in the main and you're off! Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Sounds like good info.
I've seen "heaving to" in a few sailing books I picked up, but I have to admit I skipped over it. I didn't understand the significance. Now, at the close of my first season, and getting the opportunity to singlehand my Mac26C (that's the older classic, not the newer MacGregor hybrid) in some pretty stiff winds a couple of times, I think I understand the importance of learning this maneuver. You caught my attention with . . . "you will feel much more at ease, in heavy weather, knowing you can "stop" if you need to, with control!" I headed out with full sails, in much bigger wind than I probably should have, and had a time getting back to protected waters where I could reef the main and drop the headsail. Thanks for the good posts on "heaving to". Still not sure I understand it completely, but I'm bound and determined to learn it, now. Any other thoughts on the subject are welcome.
I've seen "heaving to" in a few sailing books I picked up, but I have to admit I skipped over it. I didn't understand the significance. Now, at the close of my first season, and getting the opportunity to singlehand my Mac26C (that's the older classic, not the newer MacGregor hybrid) in some pretty stiff winds a couple of times, I think I understand the importance of learning this maneuver. You caught my attention with . . . "you will feel much more at ease, in heavy weather, knowing you can "stop" if you need to, with control!" I headed out with full sails, in much bigger wind than I probably should have, and had a time getting back to protected waters where I could reef the main and drop the headsail. Thanks for the good posts on "heaving to". Still not sure I understand it completely, but I'm bound and determined to learn it, now. Any other thoughts on the subject are welcome.
More info for Marshall
Here's how heaving-to works. The backwinded jib forces the bow away from the wind. As the boat falls off, the main fills slightly and starts to move the boat forward. As the boat gains way, the helm tied to lee turns the bow back up into the wind, reducing the drive from the main. The boat slows down and as it does so, the jib pushes the bow down and the cycle starts all over again. If the sails and helm are balanced, the boat will sits upright and drift sideways (more or less) to the wind leaving a slick wake behind it to windward. This wake smooths the waves approaching from windward. If you ease the main until it streams off to leeward, you should be able to reef it without any trouble. Peter H23 "Raven"
Here's how heaving-to works. The backwinded jib forces the bow away from the wind. As the boat falls off, the main fills slightly and starts to move the boat forward. As the boat gains way, the helm tied to lee turns the bow back up into the wind, reducing the drive from the main. The boat slows down and as it does so, the jib pushes the bow down and the cycle starts all over again. If the sails and helm are balanced, the boat will sits upright and drift sideways (more or less) to the wind leaving a slick wake behind it to windward. This wake smooths the waves approaching from windward. If you ease the main until it streams off to leeward, you should be able to reef it without any trouble. Peter H23 "Raven"
There are two answers to this...
#1 (stated correctly in the first reply): should be to reef. #1: You said..."centerboard is stuck up until I haul the boat". If you have any problem with your boat that will signifigantly affect control it needs to be taken care of posthaste. Waiting to haul out for a controllability problem is asking for trouble. The fix may just require a short haul with the boat never even having to leave the slings. The malfunctioning of one component can cause adverse, and even catastrophic, effects or stress loads on another. Personally, I would have hauled out and repaired the centerboard. I always err on the side of caution. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
#1 (stated correctly in the first reply): should be to reef. #1: You said..."centerboard is stuck up until I haul the boat". If you have any problem with your boat that will signifigantly affect control it needs to be taken care of posthaste. Waiting to haul out for a controllability problem is asking for trouble. The fix may just require a short haul with the boat never even having to leave the slings. The malfunctioning of one component can cause adverse, and even catastrophic, effects or stress loads on another. Personally, I would have hauled out and repaired the centerboard. I always err on the side of caution. Just my eversohumble opinion. Cheers, Bob
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