I just finished reading an article in Sail Magazine regarding when to reef. Since I'm rather new to sailing a lot of it was good information. They mentioned knowing what your boat's maximum or optimum heel was. We have a 1972 Catalina 27 and since we purchased it used, it didn't come with an owners' manual. Neither of the surveys talks about heel angles either. I'm about to add an inclinometer to the boat and am wondering if anybody knows what the best heel angle would be? Past owners of the boat have told me they've had her in conditions where the rails were in the water and she handled fine. (Heaven forbid I find this point anytime soon...) Any thoughts? Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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Ron
Heel
You can sail with your rail in the water however it's not very efficient and strain the rig too much. I's say 15 to 20 degrees will keep her on her lines.
You can sail with your rail in the water however it's not very efficient and strain the rig too much. I's say 15 to 20 degrees will keep her on her lines.
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gary jensen
optium angle
Keep her between 15 and 17 Degrees for best hull speed. If you can get a knotmeter it will give you the exact degree when sailing............
Keep her between 15 and 17 Degrees for best hull speed. If you can get a knotmeter it will give you the exact degree when sailing............
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John Eastin
Thanks
Thanks for the advice. It's more than a little embarassing to have to ask some of these questions but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've read in the forum that it would be very difficult to lay the boat over here in the South Sound and that even if we did she would right herself very quickly. My understanding is that the Catalina is a very "forgiving" boat and several of my sailing friends have told me that if I'm ever in doubt to just turn loose of the tiller and she'll straighten herself out and head into the wind...The worst experience we've had was getting caught trying to come back into port against an outgoing tide with the wind blowing against it. Made the water very lumpy and being the novice I was I chose to drop the canvas and try to motor back in...big mistake. Took two and a half hours to motor the distance we'd sailed in little more than 20 minutes. Ah well, the learning continues...
Thanks for the advice. It's more than a little embarassing to have to ask some of these questions but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I've read in the forum that it would be very difficult to lay the boat over here in the South Sound and that even if we did she would right herself very quickly. My understanding is that the Catalina is a very "forgiving" boat and several of my sailing friends have told me that if I'm ever in doubt to just turn loose of the tiller and she'll straighten herself out and head into the wind...The worst experience we've had was getting caught trying to come back into port against an outgoing tide with the wind blowing against it. Made the water very lumpy and being the novice I was I chose to drop the canvas and try to motor back in...big mistake. Took two and a half hours to motor the distance we'd sailed in little more than 20 minutes. Ah well, the learning continues...
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Rob Rich
That's why the wesite is here...
I got my C-27 just a year ago now, and have learned bunches since then. While it wasn't my first boat, it was my first "heavy" boat that I owned. This website has been invaluable to me. Don't be afraid to ask and search the archives - tons of info. Best Regards, Rob
I got my C-27 just a year ago now, and have learned bunches since then. While it wasn't my first boat, it was my first "heavy" boat that I owned. This website has been invaluable to me. Don't be afraid to ask and search the archives - tons of info. Best Regards, Rob
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Ernie
angle of heel
I recommend that you sail at the angle of heel that you feel most comfortable ...if you're out cruising and/or playing around it'll provide you with an opportunity to test your (and the boat's) limits. There is a qualitative difference between racing and cruising ...putting the rail in the water can be fun - and is often seen as a maucho thing for some - but!!...if you or your crew isn't/aren't ready for it you better hope you have weather helm and not lee helm when you push the panic button and let the sheets fly. REMBER, THE IDEA IS TO HAVE FUN.
I recommend that you sail at the angle of heel that you feel most comfortable ...if you're out cruising and/or playing around it'll provide you with an opportunity to test your (and the boat's) limits. There is a qualitative difference between racing and cruising ...putting the rail in the water can be fun - and is often seen as a maucho thing for some - but!!...if you or your crew isn't/aren't ready for it you better hope you have weather helm and not lee helm when you push the panic button and let the sheets fly. REMBER, THE IDEA IS TO HAVE FUN.
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Vince Cruz, Jr.
A Little Less Angle if Winged Keel...
I'd certainly agree with all the advice that's been given (i.e., keeping the heel angle in "comfortable" range w/ no more than a 15-17 degree angle). Given the year model of your C27, yours is not a winged keel like mine. With a winged keel, I believe that the optimum heel angle is ~ 10-15 degrees as beyond 15 degrees, the wings on the keel begin acting as a brake in the water. Also, because it doesn't have the draft offered by a fin keel, the boat will begin to go leeward.
I'd certainly agree with all the advice that's been given (i.e., keeping the heel angle in "comfortable" range w/ no more than a 15-17 degree angle). Given the year model of your C27, yours is not a winged keel like mine. With a winged keel, I believe that the optimum heel angle is ~ 10-15 degrees as beyond 15 degrees, the wings on the keel begin acting as a brake in the water. Also, because it doesn't have the draft offered by a fin keel, the boat will begin to go leeward.
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Michael McCann
MAX Heel
John; Most fin keel Catalina's like it between 15 and 20 degrees. As you begin sailing you will gain confidence, and will allow it heel farther. To control heel angle while sailing ease the main sail when it starts to heel more than you want. This is of course when you are beating or close reaching. The wind is not going to turn your boat over. Ballasted sailing vessels get rolled when they fall of of a breaking wave. It would be unlikely you would find such a wave in the Puget Sound. Get a good book on sail trim, read it, and ask questions in this forum on those items that confuse you. Good Sailing. Michael
John; Most fin keel Catalina's like it between 15 and 20 degrees. As you begin sailing you will gain confidence, and will allow it heel farther. To control heel angle while sailing ease the main sail when it starts to heel more than you want. This is of course when you are beating or close reaching. The wind is not going to turn your boat over. Ballasted sailing vessels get rolled when they fall of of a breaking wave. It would be unlikely you would find such a wave in the Puget Sound. Get a good book on sail trim, read it, and ask questions in this forum on those items that confuse you. Good Sailing. Michael
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Chris Hyland
Reefing
John, Try easing the traveler first. You'll spill of some of wind and get her back on her feet. When my wife and I go out we'll get her heeled up pretty high, maybe as much as 30 degrees. When we have guests we try to keep her a little flatter. Running the rails in the water slows you down. When she's riding heeled up to high I'll ease the traveler and many times the speed will come up not down because the hull runs more efficiently. Enjoy.. Chris Hyland Beau Jouet C-36 #1971
John, Try easing the traveler first. You'll spill of some of wind and get her back on her feet. When my wife and I go out we'll get her heeled up pretty high, maybe as much as 30 degrees. When we have guests we try to keep her a little flatter. Running the rails in the water slows you down. When she's riding heeled up to high I'll ease the traveler and many times the speed will come up not down because the hull runs more efficiently. Enjoy.. Chris Hyland Beau Jouet C-36 #1971
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BW
I believe that anything over 20 degrees.....
may hinder your performance. I also ease the traveler first and agree with Chris, it can actually make you go faster. Generally I consider reefing in anything over 20 knots. I have a C30 tall rig which has alot of sail. We sail on Lake Erie where the weather can change very fast. Some days I even just use the jib. Hope this helps....have fun!
may hinder your performance. I also ease the traveler first and agree with Chris, it can actually make you go faster. Generally I consider reefing in anything over 20 knots. I have a C30 tall rig which has alot of sail. We sail on Lake Erie where the weather can change very fast. Some days I even just use the jib. Hope this helps....have fun!
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