Poorer performance on starboard tack vs port tack

[Will Gilmore]

Most Catalina 30's tend to have a bit of a port list. What do you notice on yours, Jim?

This will give you an approximate read--perhaps close enough. But bear in mind that your main halyard sheave is offset to one side.

Using the halyard presents some problems because of the above differences. I typically use the halyard as a plumb line at the gooseneck, this gives me both centered mast and rake, but if you have a natural list, that would be a problem. Get the boat level first.

The lower shrouds could be the culprit. If one side is looser than the other, excessive lateral bending on one tack over the other could loose you some efficiency, does she heel more easily on the slower tack? More camber aft due to a flexing mast could mean too much lateral lift at the expense of forward lift.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Jackdaw]

Using the halyard presents some problems because of the above differences. I typically use the halyard as a plumb line at the gooseneck, this gives me both centered mast and rake, but if you have a natural list, that would be a problem. Get the boat level first.

The lower shrouds could be the culprit. If one side is looser than the other, excessive lateral bending on one tack over the other could loose you some efficiency, does she heel more easily on the slower tack? More camber aft due to a flexing mast could mean too much lateral lift at the expense of forward lift.

-Will (Dragonfly)

Measuring mast for plumb is in fact easiest with a halyard. You also need a bosuns chair, some e-tape, and a tape measure.

Attach the chair to a centerline halyard and have someone get in. Take up slack and raise so the person is a few feet above the deck. Mark the supporting halyard with tape, and swing to one of the vertical shrouds and mark it with tape where the halyard tape touches the shroud. Now swing over to the other side and repeat.

Now measure from the deck to the tape marks. Any difference is the masttop being out of plumb.

 

[Will Gilmore]

centerline halyard

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[Alan Gomes]

True for some boats, not true on mine. I also have a jib halyard sheave that comes directly out of the front of the mast about 3/4 of the way up.

Fair enough. When I had my Catalina 30, though, that was the case. (Jim has a Catalina 30.) Of course, a quick look will confirm one way or the other.

 

[CarlN]

How are you measuring apparent wind angle? By sail telltale or masthead sensor? Any chance the Windex or gauge is not aligned? Just a few degrees could do this.