What is the optimum heel for a Hunter 23.5? Also, at what point should you begin reefing the sails? I sail in an inland river and so do not experience the large ocean waves many of you do. Thanks. PS. I am also considering moving up to a 1995 Hunter 26 Opinions please.
Optimum Heel
- Thread starter Deane23013
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Heel Angle
I've owned and sailed six boats in the past 30 yrs (currently sail a Hunter 28.5). All had different characteristics, but as a generalization, I would say that optimum heel angles were up to about 15 degrees. Beyond that point, a lot of boats will start to develop excessive weather helm and want to start rounding up. Also, you will have a lot of unwanted leeway. It can be fun to sail my boat up to about 35 degrees of heel, but its tough on the boat and you really are spilling so much wind that you are not gaining any useful speed or forward motion. You know the old adage about reefing: "its time to reef when you first think about it." When to reef is sort of like heeling, it differs with the characteristics of each boat. Depending on the size and type of sails you have up at the time, another generalization I would offer is that many fin keel production boats need to have sail area reduced when the winds begin to exceed 15 kts. Sure, some boats can go far beyond that amount of wind before they need to reef (and many sailors tend to overestimate wind strength), but that's the general neighborhood to start gving it some thought -- and taking some action. Hope this helps.
I've owned and sailed six boats in the past 30 yrs (currently sail a Hunter 28.5). All had different characteristics, but as a generalization, I would say that optimum heel angles were up to about 15 degrees. Beyond that point, a lot of boats will start to develop excessive weather helm and want to start rounding up. Also, you will have a lot of unwanted leeway. It can be fun to sail my boat up to about 35 degrees of heel, but its tough on the boat and you really are spilling so much wind that you are not gaining any useful speed or forward motion. You know the old adage about reefing: "its time to reef when you first think about it." When to reef is sort of like heeling, it differs with the characteristics of each boat. Depending on the size and type of sails you have up at the time, another generalization I would offer is that many fin keel production boats need to have sail area reduced when the winds begin to exceed 15 kts. Sure, some boats can go far beyond that amount of wind before they need to reef (and many sailors tend to overestimate wind strength), but that's the general neighborhood to start gving it some thought -- and taking some action. Hope this helps.
the helm knows
A great question, Deanne. But instead of asking us, you should be asking your helm. The optimum heel is one degree less than the point where you have to correct for weather helm with the rudder. That's the point where your sails are balanced. It's also the point where you're making the minimum amount of leeway while going to weather. Therefore, the way to find the optimum heel for a given suit of sails on a given boat in given conditions is to trim to the point where you're just beginning to experience weather helm and then ease the mainsheet traveler until the helm is once again centered. Now look at the fun meter (inclinometer) and make a note of what it's telling you. That's your optimum heel angle.
A great question, Deanne. But instead of asking us, you should be asking your helm. The optimum heel is one degree less than the point where you have to correct for weather helm with the rudder. That's the point where your sails are balanced. It's also the point where you're making the minimum amount of leeway while going to weather. Therefore, the way to find the optimum heel for a given suit of sails on a given boat in given conditions is to trim to the point where you're just beginning to experience weather helm and then ease the mainsheet traveler until the helm is once again centered. Now look at the fun meter (inclinometer) and make a note of what it's telling you. That's your optimum heel angle.
23.5 to 26
We had an H23.5 and graduated to an H26. It was a good move for us because those extra 2 and 1/2 feet made the difference between basically a day sailor to a comfortable over night boat. There is enough space to take another family during the day on the 26. We had the 23.5 for one year before upgrading, no regrets. H26 tandem trailer makes towing easier than the single axle trailer. Water ballast Hunters are tender. We are usually the first boat on the lake to reef at winds above 13 MPH. BTW, the H26 is quite a bit more stable on windy wavy days, easier to control. I guess that goes with any larger boat, but we could tell the difference.
We had an H23.5 and graduated to an H26. It was a good move for us because those extra 2 and 1/2 feet made the difference between basically a day sailor to a comfortable over night boat. There is enough space to take another family during the day on the 26. We had the 23.5 for one year before upgrading, no regrets. H26 tandem trailer makes towing easier than the single axle trailer. Water ballast Hunters are tender. We are usually the first boat on the lake to reef at winds above 13 MPH. BTW, the H26 is quite a bit more stable on windy wavy days, easier to control. I guess that goes with any larger boat, but we could tell the difference.
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