Optimum wind speed
- Thread starter domalon
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I dont think there is a optimum wind speed for safe sailing, my 22 seems to like about 12-15kts of breeze, but I have had her out in 20-25 and felt safe. I think it is more about your ability and your own comfort zone than it is about how much the boat can handle. Reefing the main, dousing the jib or sailing with just the jib can be done if you feel the wind is too much for you.
Nick
Nick
The hull speed of a 23 is about 6kts. 10-15kts is the sweet spot for this boat. At about 15kts of wind the 23 will begin to be overpowered with a typical sail plan. Above that, you need to begin to reduce sail area by reefing the main, using your roller-furler if it supports reefing the jib or using a smaller jib.
On windy days with inexperienced crew, I often just sail with the mainsail. I like an experienced crew if I am going to get 20% or more of heel.
On windy days with inexperienced crew, I often just sail with the mainsail. I like an experienced crew if I am going to get 20% or more of heel.
I was just out today in about 15 knots. When we went out it was about 10k and we had both full main and 135% genoa up, no problem. But when it piped up to white caps got gusty, I just sailed under the main. Had I reefed the main, it probably would have been all right, but I had a friend and his kids on board- not sailors- so I wanted the boat on her feet. On a beam reach we were moving along at around 5 knots, but beating was slow going.
The rule is that if you double the wind speed, you quadruple (not double) the wind force. Therefore, if the boat sails well in 15K of wind, then to sail the same in 30K, you will need to cut the sail area to one quarter of normal full sail. For our smaller boats, this means at least 1 reef (2 if you have a second0 and a scrap of jib, or no jib. Sea state in 30K can prove interesting.
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