Pointing

[Last Place Lou]

The sailing club group with which I race are not hard core, mostly learning how to sail their boats and looking for fellowship. My Hunter 34 cannot point with the worst of them, Catalina 34, Islander 36, Catalina 25, Irwin 32, Dufor 29, Com Pac 30, Hunter Legend 32, all included. I have new sails, rigging tuned at the Hunter Marine Dealer, clean bottom and still am a good 15 degrees off of the other boats in 8 to 13 knots of wind. Is this a Hunter 34 problem? I am concerned that if I increase the backstay tension with a backstay adjuster I could unload the upper stays. Can any one tell me what Backstay Tension they use?All replies will be appreciated.Last Place Lou

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Could be the keel

If you have a wing keel, that will affect your ability to point, as well as make you sidelip. But at least you won't run aground as much as the other guys.Last-Place Bill

 

[Alan]

I had a 34 fin before my L35.5. If you have a shoal draft you will loose a little point, but 15 degrees is huge. I would not trust the dealer to tune your rig! There's a big difference between just putting up the mast and having it 'in tune'. Make sure you have at least 12" rake and more if you can take the increased weather helm it will bring. The more rake you carry the higher you will point. Also, how blown out are your sails? Five years or more dacron sails are usually well streched and that is death when it comes to pointing

 

[Don Alexander]

Trying too hard?

Lou,Next time run her full & bye, using telltales on jib of course. Go for speed and only when moving nicely begin to GRADUALLY head up.Don't crank the jib/genoa in absolutely flat either.The keel only works to stop leeway when the boat is moving well.I guess that will fix it.Good luck.

 

[Alan]

The Keel

Don, your recommendation to build speed then start to sail closer to the wind is exactly the right move, but the keel does more than just stop leeway. A properly faired smooth keel produces its own lift which adds to boat speed. Also do not forget to move the rudder as little as possible. Consider the rudder the brake pedal, every movement of the rudder is like stepping on the brake pedal.