pointing with my 27 Catalina

[Gary VanZee]

I have a 27 Catalina with a wing keel and am having problems with pointing. We race each month and I can't seem to get into the wind as well as other boats. I am new to sailing and think its more me than the boat. Any advice? Thanks Gary

 

[T37 Phil]

Trim

You're going to get a lot of good sail trim and rig tuning advice I suspect. It might help to give a brief account of how you trim and what you've tried so far (basic trim controls, mast rake, backstay tension, fairlead positions, ...). It also pays to remember that your best Vmg (speed made good to windward) is not necessarily as close to the wind as possible.

 

[John/Illinois]

same concern

Worked all season to point better. Triple checked all settings, leads,etc. How important is angle of heel to pointing? Is there an angle that is bst for the 27? Is use of a 135 jib as effective to point as a 110? (1987 tall rig., fin keel). New jib cars and sheet, extensive practice with settings. Is there a extensive list of factors that are specific to the 27? I am not using a boom vang. PO did not have one. Not sure it is important due to mid boom sheeting. All thoughts and expeeriences appreciated.

 

[T37 Phil]

Humble advice

I don't think there are any trim issues specific to the C27, though sail choice may certainly be a factor. Each sail plan and hull/keel have their own characteristics and pointing ability. Some boats are just going to point better. Most boats will not get max Vmg by pointing as close as possible to the wind. Are you using inboard genoa tracks? If not, maybe try a barberhaul rig to bring down the sheeting angle. How far is your genoa off your spreaders? Are your sails good and flat? Check your rig tuning and play with the backstay. Boom vang would be useful on other points of sail, even if the mid-boom sheeting brings the boom down while close-hauled.I not sure why the experts aren't chiming in. I suspect there are many threads on pointing ability in the archive. Best of luck. C27 is a fun boat!

 

[Tom Monroe]

a couple thoughts

My experience with C27's (I own one) is that with toe rail sheeting you're sure not going to tack through 90 degrees or point with the Beneteau's. A couple of thoughts, without trying to get too technical and confuse you as a new sailer ...Are your sails equipped with the right telltales, and do you know how to read them? If not, that's a great first step.More headsail is better than less. I'll leave a 135 up and take a deep reef in the main before I'll reduce headsail size below 135. The bigger headsail really helps her point.Less heal is better. She sails faster and better standing up. Learn how to trim your main to reduce healing and leave a big headsail up.Is your hull clean? That really affects pointing in a C27.Let her run. C27's have a pretty fast hull. The others may outpoint you, but you'll stay with them on hull speed. I was heading down the lake the other day to watch a race, in the company of several of the boats that were to race. Where the lake constricts due to a shoal area, we got into quite a tacking duel. The other boats were pointing higher, but we were sailing faster. We got there first. (I'd race her but I can't afford the extra equipment right now.)Thus, keep the boat driving and footing. That's her strength. If you get things too strapped in and pinched up, it will look like you're pointing with them, but your speed will drop off and leeway pick up substantially. I bring a 135 or 150 in to about two inches off the spreader, with winds above 10, and ease off from that in lighter air. Then sail your telltales and feel the boat for speed. Trust your telltales and sail to speed.Finally, go over to Don Guillette's sail trim forum and ask your question there.Tom