We recently purchased a 2000 26X and I was curious as to a safe angle off center to sail. I am new to sailing and I noticed that the compass reads 0-30 degrees. Am I safe sailing at 30 degrees off center or will I be swimming trying to right the boat
safe reaching angle
- Thread starter Krist
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Do You Mean Heeling?
Are you referring to heeling, the incline angle of the boat relative to the plane of the water? 10 to 15 degrees seems to be the most efficient angle as far as getting surface area of the hull out of the water. The first few times, 30 degrees will seem like a lot, but I assure you, if you are sitting on the windward side of the boat, you won't fall out, just brace your feet on the other side of the cockpit. Just let the boat head up into the wind with the tiller or let the main sheet out to control the heeling effect. Most important thing is not to panic. There are many very good books for beginner sailors. Probably the easiest to digest and put into practice that I've read is the ASA book "Sailing Fundamentals". You can find it at any Borders or Barnes & Noble if you hate waiting for the mail. I raced my Mac 25 on Saturday for the first time with a very experienced sailor for crew. In the second race, about 10 minutes into it, a cold front came through with a vengeance. Winds were about 8-10kts. at the start, and quickly went to 30, gusting to 40 according to a couple of skippers with anemometers on board. We went over to at least 60 degrees in a good blow, the starboard cabin windows were in the water and water was coming into the cockpit. I was told by the skipper of a boat behind us that my rudder was completely out of the water and the root of my keel was visible. We just planted our feet on the opposite side of the cockpit and hung onto the lifeline on the windward side. At no point did I ever feel like I was going to fall out, nor that we had lost control of the boat. At that point, pretty much all forward speed was gone, so we just waited for the blow to subside enough so that we could head up and get the Genoa down. We soldiered on for about another 1/2 mile with the main up and realized it was futile and all the other boats were packing up and had started to motor in. I wouldn't have stayed out as long as we did if I didn't have a very experienced sailor aboard. I learned the limitations of the boat and also came away satisfied as to the durability and safety of it. My point is that 30 degrees will seem like a lot the first few times, and if you are heeled over that far, your boat is not at it's most efficient point of sail, but it's not going to kill you. Read the books and learn all you can about what sail trim and things like reefing will do to help you out.
Are you referring to heeling, the incline angle of the boat relative to the plane of the water? 10 to 15 degrees seems to be the most efficient angle as far as getting surface area of the hull out of the water. The first few times, 30 degrees will seem like a lot, but I assure you, if you are sitting on the windward side of the boat, you won't fall out, just brace your feet on the other side of the cockpit. Just let the boat head up into the wind with the tiller or let the main sheet out to control the heeling effect. Most important thing is not to panic. There are many very good books for beginner sailors. Probably the easiest to digest and put into practice that I've read is the ASA book "Sailing Fundamentals". You can find it at any Borders or Barnes & Noble if you hate waiting for the mail. I raced my Mac 25 on Saturday for the first time with a very experienced sailor for crew. In the second race, about 10 minutes into it, a cold front came through with a vengeance. Winds were about 8-10kts. at the start, and quickly went to 30, gusting to 40 according to a couple of skippers with anemometers on board. We went over to at least 60 degrees in a good blow, the starboard cabin windows were in the water and water was coming into the cockpit. I was told by the skipper of a boat behind us that my rudder was completely out of the water and the root of my keel was visible. We just planted our feet on the opposite side of the cockpit and hung onto the lifeline on the windward side. At no point did I ever feel like I was going to fall out, nor that we had lost control of the boat. At that point, pretty much all forward speed was gone, so we just waited for the blow to subside enough so that we could head up and get the Genoa down. We soldiered on for about another 1/2 mile with the main up and realized it was futile and all the other boats were packing up and had started to motor in. I wouldn't have stayed out as long as we did if I didn't have a very experienced sailor aboard. I learned the limitations of the boat and also came away satisfied as to the durability and safety of it. My point is that 30 degrees will seem like a lot the first few times, and if you are heeled over that far, your boat is not at it's most efficient point of sail, but it's not going to kill you. Read the books and learn all you can about what sail trim and things like reefing will do to help you out.
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