Optimal Heeling Angle

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Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
In one of the seminars I attended, there was a discussion about how us guys like to heel the boat over until the windows are in the water. More humor about what dummies we are. So he stated that we should go find our manuals or from the manufacturer the Optimal Heeling Angle for our boats. Anything over that and you are not being efficent and should reef. I think I heard a cheer go up from the ladies. Emailed Hunter support and was told that across all models it works out to 18 degrees. Since my inclination gauge is hard enough to read, I will use 20 degrees. Any other thoughts from the collective about this? Has anyone seen warm weather, the inside of my knees are starting to chaff from shaking? Jim S/V Java
 
P

Paul

Flatter is better

is what I have heard. Practical experience says 15 degrees. Hey 20 is good. Thanks, Paul
 
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p323ms

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May 24, 2004
341
Pearson 323 panama city
20 degrees sounds good to me

Beyond that too much stuff falls down below!!! But it must depend upon the boat and point of sail. Once I reach about hull speed it is time to reef if the wind gets stronger. Without any consideration of optimals it sure feels great to have the rail down!!!! The days are getting longer and soon we will be sweating and swatting bugs!!!! I love winter sailing for the generally stronger winds. But winter at Panama City is probably a little different than winter in Maryland!!!! Tom
 
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Bill18593

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Mar 21, 2004
343
Hunter 25.5 Carlyle, IL
Waterline

IIRC, sailboats have a longer waterline when heeled. I have heard that 15 - 20 degrees is the best compromise between longer waterline and sail efficiency. At just under 20 degrees seems to work best for our boat. She hits a nice balance and is fastest.
 
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jmcclain

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Jan 18, 2004
221
Beneteau 321 Houston
The right amount of Heel

I never really pay much attention to the "degrees" of heel. Our Beneteau 321 will tell you when you when you have gone too far by slowing down and tugging on the wheel. The best performance for this boat is with NOT a lot of heel. I suspect that the optimum heel will vary depending on the vessel. Jon McClain
 
Paul Akers

Paul Akers

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Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
Flatter is Better

When I first started sailing (it was a Sunfish) 20+ years ago. I read a book named "Sail It Flat". For the sunfish, the idea was to gain speed for racing by keeping the boat as flat as possible. I find that my L37 like 12-15 kts of wind the best, but also likes to heel. Hunters are tender boats. But I enjoy sailing at 10-12 degrees of heel. It adds to the exhiliration of the sail.
 
Alice A.

Alice A.

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Feb 13, 2004
92
Hunter 37.5 Plattsburgh, NY
flatter is faster

We find that our 37.5 is very fast when we keep her at 10-15 degrees. Above 25 degrees and the performance starts to deteriorate. Alice C.
 
Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Roger on sailing flat but

Not sure how to say this. This optimal angle should be the area where you start reefing since the boat is working harder through the water. Keeping more sail up and heeled will not produce any more speed, assuming conditions are semi-flat. In the attached picture, I'm reefed about 50% on both sails in 20kt winds, Java was still screaming along at 7.5kts, the heel is 10 to 15 ? not sure. Make any sense with this statement? Jim S/V Java
 
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Marty Pearce

Pictures of Davits

Sorry to change topics but Jim I noticed your davits in the picture you attached. Could you provide a close up picture? What model Hunter is Java? thanks...Marty
 
Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Marty, Can do better than that

Boat is H356, davits are from Ocean Marine. Everything is in the Link. Jim http://www.ayesail.net/sailing/SailboatMods/H356Mods/DavitInstall/index.html
 
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Dana M26D

Flat and straight

My MacGregor 26D starts slowing down above 20 degrees, with 18 optimal. I've put the windows in the water, but only long enough for the wife to reach a 147db scream. Past 20 degrees the sail is dumping wind upwards and produces less lift. With less bite the keel loses lift and driving force. This results in wasting energy while increasing sideways drift. Watch the America's Cup boats. They work hard to keep the angles low and the keel developing efficient drive.
 
Paul Akers

Paul Akers

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Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
Roger, that...

...on what Jim Seamans says. When I reef, my L37 loves to fly along an an even keel.
 
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