it is looking like we will be racing in over 20 kts, this weekend. We have a first 285 with fin keel. We normally keep the water bag in the bow empty. Would filling it be of any help dealing with the waves? tahks for any input. c
racing 20+kts - waves
- Thread starter cindy15934
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Weight in the ends of a sailboat is never a good idea. But I feel for you, I know what kind of steep chop you'll be facing. We deal with the same on Superior. Like last week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MrIyO0L6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4MrIyO0L6c
I think it depends on the boat and unless you try it you will not know.
I know that my Beneteau 361 slams less in waves upwind with the bow water tank full.
I know that my Beneteau 361 slams less in waves upwind with the bow water tank full.
The admiral & I learned early on that we had to have the forward water tank full whenever we were going to be sailing into the waves. Without it, we launch off the waves and slam on the down side. Rough ride and slows the boat.
@MSN-Travelers
We were out the other week in 20kn winds out of the south-east and the wave height was 2 metres(6 feet). The period between wave peeks had to be about 20-30 feet.
Our forward tank is empty. We didn't experience the slamming that you are indicating. Managed 6.5 knots into the waves. Admiral enjoyed it.
What type of wave conditions caused the effect you're talking about.
We were out the other week in 20kn winds out of the south-east and the wave height was 2 metres(6 feet). The period between wave peeks had to be about 20-30 feet.
Our forward tank is empty. We didn't experience the slamming that you are indicating. Managed 6.5 knots into the waves. Admiral enjoyed it.
What type of wave conditions caused the effect you're talking about.
Lake Michigan breeds some weird wave frequencies. We find ourselves doing just fine and then a two-wave pair hits. The first lifts the bow and the second will launch the bow unless we have the extra weight up front.
In thinking about it, we don’t have too much of a problem when under sail but do experience it quite a bit when under power and the waves are basically on the nose (in irons cone). We cruise quite a bit and, and as most cruisers will tell you, the wind is way-too-often coming directly from where you are headed. 40-60 mile runs directly into the waves does get old real quick when you launch off the waves every five minutes.
First year taught us we needed a dodger, second season we figured out the “full forward tank” trick (always had kept it empty) and the need for a connector between the dodger & bimini to keep dry at the helm when heading into wind driven waves.
In thinking about it, we don’t have too much of a problem when under sail but do experience it quite a bit when under power and the waves are basically on the nose (in irons cone). We cruise quite a bit and, and as most cruisers will tell you, the wind is way-too-often coming directly from where you are headed. 40-60 mile runs directly into the waves does get old real quick when you launch off the waves every five minutes.
First year taught us we needed a dodger, second season we figured out the “full forward tank” trick (always had kept it empty) and the need for a connector between the dodger & bimini to keep dry at the helm when heading into wind driven waves.
my Hunter 27 normally has lots of problems powering into large chop (either sail or power, but it's worse under power than sail). I don't have a water bag in the bow, but I do normally fill the V-berth with everything I can throw up there to move weight into the bow, and can tell a significant difference with how I go either through or over the waves depending on how much weight I have in the bow.
a water ballast bag in the bow would be a good idea....
a water ballast bag in the bow would be a good idea....
Exactly. In waves you often need power at the bow to cut through the waves. This is the genoa's role or (not ideal but best of nothing) some weigh forward.
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