Reefing the main on a 1997 Hunter 340

[smoothsailing]

Don,

New to this boat. I understand that reefing is necessary in 15 mph plus winds.

Can you tell me the wind speeds to reef the #1 and #2 reef points?

TIA

Bill

 

[Don Guillette]

I've only sailed on a couple of Hunters so my knowledge is limited. I think they can easily sail in 15 knots of wind.

As far as when to reef -- that depends on the experience of the skipper. First I would try everything I could to de-power the boat (induce twist, flatten the main and jib etc) before I reefed. Sailing in So Ca, reefing was rarely necessary but I thought about it a couple of time. I took the situation in steps and if I realized what I was trying wasn't working then I would move to the next step. Additionally, I would not fool around and hope for better results. The minute I realized there was no improvement in the control of the boat - I'd reef.

Let's see what other listers, especially hunter owners, think.

 

[Ed Caldwell]

Reef when you feel excessive weather helm or heel angle. If you are thinking about it, do it.

On our H340 with non-furling main and shoal draft keel, we put in the first reef when the apparent wind gusts over 15 kts consistently and chances are good for increasing winds during the day (or whenever the crew/passengers are uncomfortable). Second reef goes in when gust are in the 20-24 kts range, usually accompanied by rolling up some jib.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Ed's right. We recommend pretty much the same for our boats. One thing you might want to look into is double line reefing. Google it.

Also, don't be tempted to furl the jib first, it rarely helps with reducing heeling, although it appears attractive 'cuz it's easier.

 

[smoothsailing]

Thanks to Don, Ed, and Stu

My 340 is also a non-furling main and shoal draft keel. I will have to practice the reefing with my crew.

Bill

 

[Bill19233]

Hunter 340 Reefing

On my 340, I put a reef in if it's blowing 15 knots apparent or more while we're motoring out. If it picks up while I have the full main out I deal with it until it gets too uncomfortable for any guests aboard. I installed blocks at the reef grommets on the leech and at the D rings on the luff and the single line reefing works great, no problems, I can get the 1st & 2nd reef tacks and clews real tight & get the main flat. In fact the boat balances upwind perfect with one reef in the main and the 110% jib out all the way. Enjoy your boat.

 

[Don Guillette]

Richh, Stu J, Scott T bird, Jackdaw and Hunter owners: What is it about a Hunter that would cause it to be necessary to reef in 15 knots of wind?? In Santa Cruz, I sailed a C30 at a national event in over 45 knots without a reef -- obviously we had a crew of 6 that knew what they were doing but putting that aside I don't think 15 knots is very much wind.

For Santa Cruz and San Fran sailors like Stu J, 15 knots is probably considered a mild breeze!!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don, mild breeze? Nah, light air.

My understanding, from reading a LOT about different 34 foot boats, is that the H34 is a tad more tender initially than my boat. We generally suggest 18-20 apparent is a time to throw the first reef in.

Question is are we talking apparent or true wind?

That's first.

Second, we should hear from Kloudie on this, 'cuz he has one and knows better.

 

[Bill19233]

I can't say to the H34, but I'm the first to say my Hunter 340 is tender, it has 682 sq. ft. of sail area with 11,400 lbs. of displacement, a Catalina 34 has 528 sq. ft. of sail area with 12,550 lbs. of displacement. The hunter 340 is fractional rigged with most of the sail area in the mainsail, a lot of it high up the mast, others have masthead rigs with their sail area split between a genoa and the mainsail on a shorter mast. My Hunter 340 has the highest mast by far on my dock and there are several boats over 40'. Yes we do have to reef in 15 knots apparent with 8 people aboard to keep everyone comfortable, but with 2 or 3 good crew, you can keep the reef out up to 20 knots and have an exciting sail. But at 10-12 knots apparent, you can sail circles around any Catalina the same size. I bought my Hunter for the 10 to 15 knots true we see on the Texas coast 90% of the time. The stats are taken from sailboatowners.com boat specifications.

 

[Rocket1]

I'm with Bill.....

Anything over about 15 knots, and the weather helm can get significant thanks to the large main. You can throw a reef in, stand her up a bit, and sail just as fast.

 

[shemandr]

My answer to Don's question is that many of the Hunter's of late are optimized for 12 to 15 knots. I think that was the design range the builder asked the designer to deliver. Like other smart marketers, Hunter was making boats for who they thought would buy them. They weren't building boats to sail in conditions they thought their customers would never go out in. That's it.
I had a H356. I miss it a lot. We've sailed it in races in 20 to 30 knot winds with 7' waves or more. Yes, we could do it. But the boat loves 12 knots. Because, that is what it was designed for.
If I had my choice, I'd rather sail my B&R Hunter in a breeze than my pal's C34. The C34 is a better moderate wind boat, but cranking in that masthead 151 is a b**ch. The other C34 I sailed on, had electric winches installed because the owners couldn't do it.
Catalina has been a very successful company because they know their customers. Hunter has been almost as successful because they do too. I wish them both a bright future. It will not be easy.

 

[Don Guillette]

Thank you, I didn't know that fact about Hunter's.

 

[Stu Jackson]

If I had my choice, I'd rather sail my B&R Hunter in a breeze than my pal's C34. The C34 is a better moderate wind boat, but cranking in that masthead 151 is a b**ch. The other C34 I sailed on, had electric winches installed because the owners couldn't do it.
Catalina has been a very successful company because they know their customers. Hunter has been almost as successful because they do too. I wish them both a bright future. It will not be easy.

If you sail almost ANY boat in heavier than 12-15 knot breezes with a 150-something genoa, then you deserve it! Really, has nothing to do with the boat. Disclaimer: I have a C34 and friends with H34s.

There was a very good thread here a while back about sizing jibs. I liked it so much I kept it on our C34 board (it links back here):

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7704.0.html

Those of us who sail in higher winds learned early enough to reduce the size of the jib right away. This article points out that there are even other reasons to do so.

 

[Chief RA]

These sail discussions always remind me of the guy bragging about his 15 hp outboard on his 25 ft sailboat. Bigger might not be faster! Chief

 

[Don Guillette]

I had a 150 on my C30 and I HATED that sail -- it was too much for me to handle single handed. I sold it and purchased a 135 high cut and the first time I used it I didn't like it either so I sold it also and then purchased a 135 with a bottom cut that just cleared the safety lines. I LOVED that sail -- lucky for me that I liked it because my wife said "no more sails". Actually, if I hadn't like it I'd have sold it and purchased something else and hopefully she'd never have known the difference. If she did notice the difference I'd have told her that her eyes are going bad and let's have another drink!!

Like every wife, she was always on to my crap, especially when I told her the boat stuff costs half of the actual price or when she asked me where did that boat thing come from ("I don't know, it was always there!!"). She'd just roll her eyes -- whatever that means!!

Any gal's out there -- what does "rolling your eyes" mean in girl language!!

 

[shemandr]

If you sail almost ANY boat in heavier than 12-15 knot breezes with a 150-something genoa, then you deserve it!

I walked into that didn't I? The boats I was referring aren't mine. If they were I would have a 135 or even 110 for the usual sea breeze here of 15-18 Kts. But human nature being what it is these guys put the 151 on and roll it up for more breeze. You are right it isn't the boat's fault.
In comparing the Hunter and the Catalina, it is important to note that the Hunter is a fractional rig and the Catalina a masthead. So even a smaller LP sail on the Catalina is a bigger sail than on the Hunter. My point was that I like smaller headsails- a lot - for the ease in tacking them.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

I am now on my 15th season with my H34 and have sailed her in all types of conditions and seas. B & R rigging, masthead rigged, I have a 130 headsail with a very good foam luft and the main top 2 battens are full with the bottom 2 being the short type. Shoal draft is only 4' 3" and mast top is 51 + feet from the water. That is a lot of sail surface and yes the boat is tender. If sailing solo or with exprienced crew I tend not to reef until we get about 20 knots apparent wind. But I will depower the main. 20 to 25 apparent I go to the first reef and furl the headsail, reducing it by about 10 to 15%. Above 25 apparent, the 2nd reef is necessary and I further reduce the headsail. Above 30, it is much easier to just drop the main and play with the headsail. Of course she doesn't point as well, but what the heck I'm out there having fun when everyone else is staying in cause "there's too much wind".