I have experienced the same problem others have with the 34 becoming extremely tender as the wind builds over 15 knots. I have sailed both a late model (98,99) and my own boat a 1984. I am considering the following modification: 1. Move the boom up 18 inches 2. Recut sail reducing sail area which will include removing the flatenning reef 3. Leave existing reef points in place The advantages include getting the boom up a little ( a bit of a problem in the older 34s) and reducing the carried sail area about 8-10% This boat has a huge gennoa (roller furling) about 155% and she becomes a real handful if the wind pipes up. Any thoughts or anyone has done a similar modification?
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Why do anything?
Gene: Why would you want to do anything at all. If you are going out and the wind is over about 10-12 just put the reef in at the dock (or leave it in). You can always shake it out. When you compare a Hunter to similar boats you will find that they high sail areas to disp. ratios. Consequently they sail very well in light air. One thing that is not very expensive is a rigid vang. This will give you the ability to flatten the main in heavy air. You may also have a baggy main. We experienced this on our H'31. Got a new main and have noticed a big difference. Modifying your sails and rigging will do nothing good for the resale of your boat. But it will make the boat a real dog in light air.
Gene: Why would you want to do anything at all. If you are going out and the wind is over about 10-12 just put the reef in at the dock (or leave it in). You can always shake it out. When you compare a Hunter to similar boats you will find that they high sail areas to disp. ratios. Consequently they sail very well in light air. One thing that is not very expensive is a rigid vang. This will give you the ability to flatten the main in heavy air. You may also have a baggy main. We experienced this on our H'31. Got a new main and have noticed a big difference. Modifying your sails and rigging will do nothing good for the resale of your boat. But it will make the boat a real dog in light air.
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Barry Olsen
I'd get a Smaller Genoa before I did that!
These boats came with a 110 jib. Moving above 130% is asking for trouble with this boat unless you do a lot of light air sailing or racing. Raising the boat doesn't make sense to me. I rather have the sail lower with a reef. Barry h34 hull#56
These boats came with a 110 jib. Moving above 130% is asking for trouble with this boat unless you do a lot of light air sailing or racing. Raising the boat doesn't make sense to me. I rather have the sail lower with a reef. Barry h34 hull#56
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Clyde Lichtenwalner
Bogus Issue
In my opinion the whole issue of tenderness on these boats is bogus. You carry a 150% geona all the time? The boat came with a 110% lapper, and in my experience, it is all the sail necessary for going to windward in all but the very lightest conditions. It is when you fall off that the larger head sails are of value. Although I am not configued this way, I think that an excellent choice for the owner of an H-34 who wants a minimal sail inventory is a reefing 135% (or the 110% that came with the boat) genoa and a cruising spinnaker for reaching. Single line reefing for the main would be a worthwhile improvememnt over factory, and after a proper sail inventory, would be my next modification. Other rig-shortening modifications would be foolish in my opinion.
In my opinion the whole issue of tenderness on these boats is bogus. You carry a 150% geona all the time? The boat came with a 110% lapper, and in my experience, it is all the sail necessary for going to windward in all but the very lightest conditions. It is when you fall off that the larger head sails are of value. Although I am not configued this way, I think that an excellent choice for the owner of an H-34 who wants a minimal sail inventory is a reefing 135% (or the 110% that came with the boat) genoa and a cruising spinnaker for reaching. Single line reefing for the main would be a worthwhile improvememnt over factory, and after a proper sail inventory, would be my next modification. Other rig-shortening modifications would be foolish in my opinion.
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Craig
Our Answer
We are kindof conservative sailors from mpls. Didnt much care for the effort pulling up the 135 in the spring and we thought a full 135 was alittle more than we needed.I took the original 110 and had our local sailmaker convert it into a roller furling sail. Have not used it alot yet, but it is much easier to bring in at the end of the day and the sail is much " easier" than before. And my wife is more relaxed. Works for us. Craig
We are kindof conservative sailors from mpls. Didnt much care for the effort pulling up the 135 in the spring and we thought a full 135 was alittle more than we needed.I took the original 110 and had our local sailmaker convert it into a roller furling sail. Have not used it alot yet, but it is much easier to bring in at the end of the day and the sail is much " easier" than before. And my wife is more relaxed. Works for us. Craig
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Eric
Agree
If you do want to sail conservativley, I think I agree with you about reducing the main. The 34 is a masthead rig. The boat sails very well with only the headsail as opposed with the newer fractional rigs. I would keep the 150 genny and furl that first when there is a need to reduce sail. Try sailing with headsail alone and then the main alone and you will see what I mean. With the reduced main you can keep it centered with the traveler and not have to move it to leeward to reduce power. This will give you better sailshape with both sails and you will be able to point higher in heavier winds. I don't think you will lose that much in light winds since the genny seems to power the boat. If you can, borrow a mainsail from a 31 and see how it performs. Just an opinion.
If you do want to sail conservativley, I think I agree with you about reducing the main. The 34 is a masthead rig. The boat sails very well with only the headsail as opposed with the newer fractional rigs. I would keep the 150 genny and furl that first when there is a need to reduce sail. Try sailing with headsail alone and then the main alone and you will see what I mean. With the reduced main you can keep it centered with the traveler and not have to move it to leeward to reduce power. This will give you better sailshape with both sails and you will be able to point higher in heavier winds. I don't think you will lose that much in light winds since the genny seems to power the boat. If you can, borrow a mainsail from a 31 and see how it performs. Just an opinion.
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Joe O
More Weight on Keel/Less Heel
My H34 has an add-on lead wing on the deep draft keel. It added about 650lbs ballast down low. The boat is no more tender than a Catalina 36. I sail in San Francisco Bay...was out yesterday in 35 knots. Sailed with the 110 jib only, it was reefed to about 80% and didn't even have the rail in the water! The original owner had the wing installed. I don't know the source of it, but I'm sure any keel manufacturer can make one for you. I have a digital picture I can send you if you give me your e-mail address. My is joey0364@aol.com Joe O
My H34 has an add-on lead wing on the deep draft keel. It added about 650lbs ballast down low. The boat is no more tender than a Catalina 36. I sail in San Francisco Bay...was out yesterday in 35 knots. Sailed with the 110 jib only, it was reefed to about 80% and didn't even have the rail in the water! The original owner had the wing installed. I don't know the source of it, but I'm sure any keel manufacturer can make one for you. I have a digital picture I can send you if you give me your e-mail address. My is joey0364@aol.com Joe O
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JoeB
Try San Francisco
I had a 34 in San Francisco. Have sailed it in 50+ knots with no problem. We generally put in 1 reef by 11:00 and the 2nd by 1:00. We ran the 110 unless it got over 25 kn then went to a 60. Should have gone earlier but were to lazy and young. The boat takes wind well if you have a balanhced sail plan which means reef early and change headsails. BTW, we actually gained speed when we went to a smaller headsail. The 34 does not like to heel that far. You lose speed!
I had a 34 in San Francisco. Have sailed it in 50+ knots with no problem. We generally put in 1 reef by 11:00 and the 2nd by 1:00. We ran the 110 unless it got over 25 kn then went to a 60. Should have gone earlier but were to lazy and young. The boat takes wind well if you have a balanhced sail plan which means reef early and change headsails. BTW, we actually gained speed when we went to a smaller headsail. The 34 does not like to heel that far. You lose speed!
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Claude L. Auger
Tender 34: Depower the main
My 34 is set-up with a 110 on a roller furler. Most every week-end this summer I have single handled in 22-27 Kts under full sail. Learned a trick years ago on smaller boats: depower the main by flattening as much as possible (bring in main sheet and boom vang as tight as you can) and moving boom down to leeward until you get a nice S shape in the sail, with S starting at mast going to windward, then doing as nice round ballon shape letting the wind exit at the chute, setting telltales straight. Boat does not drift and is much easier on the wheel, with less tendency to round up into the wind. If it gets too gusty, I bring in the head sail by about 30%. Doing it this way lets you enjoy the exhilarating feeling of going down wind at hull speed, even bring the boat to almost surfing when going down a wave. Works for me, although I must admit it calls for a little more attention and work. however, I believe the thrill of the ride makes it worthwhile. If you have a crew to man the main, it is pure joy !
My 34 is set-up with a 110 on a roller furler. Most every week-end this summer I have single handled in 22-27 Kts under full sail. Learned a trick years ago on smaller boats: depower the main by flattening as much as possible (bring in main sheet and boom vang as tight as you can) and moving boom down to leeward until you get a nice S shape in the sail, with S starting at mast going to windward, then doing as nice round ballon shape letting the wind exit at the chute, setting telltales straight. Boat does not drift and is much easier on the wheel, with less tendency to round up into the wind. If it gets too gusty, I bring in the head sail by about 30%. Doing it this way lets you enjoy the exhilarating feeling of going down wind at hull speed, even bring the boat to almost surfing when going down a wave. Works for me, although I must admit it calls for a little more attention and work. however, I believe the thrill of the ride makes it worthwhile. If you have a crew to man the main, it is pure joy !
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