Sail trim question

[Oliverhg]

I have a Hunter e36 with furling main and had a Hunter 33 before this in a similar setup.

I am finding that I sail faster in close reach with the main way out to the lea side of the traveller instead of the boom being close to the centerline of the boat.

The boat leans less, and the rudder is closer to centre with less drag.

Everyone else on the water seems to be sailing with their boom tight at center line.

This is for wind conditions of 5 knots true and above.

Below that in really light airs, it seems that I do get a bit more speed with the boom close to center line but I also let the main bulge out more then.

Above 10 knots true (14-15 apparent), I reef the main, pull it tight and bring the boom to center line, otherwise there is too much twist and the reefed main spill so much wind it has no drive.

My guess is that this has something to do with the Hunter sail plan with large main sail and no genoa. I would have thought that Hunter will have considered this in their design in positioning the mast and keel.

I find that I cannot get the boat to point closer than 30 degrees (apparent) on one tack and 40 degrees on the other tack because the jib is already flat and tight to get the tell tales streaming. Therefore, close haul is not an option unless I go to the bother with tracks on the cabin roof.

None of this is a problem but I am just curious if other Hunter owners are finding the same thing or whether there is something I should be doing to improve my sail trim.

Thanks.

 

[ben solomon]

I am sure one of the true gurus will answer better. I also experience a "sided-ness" when I close reaching. The issue you are experiencing with the traveler can be explained by following:

The air needs to stay "connected" to the mainsail. Depending on your outhaul tension, the airflow may become disconnected from your main as it streams aft, and you lose power. Instictively, you "let it out when in doubt" and gain speed most likely because now the airflow is connected to the mainsail and you get lift. Also, the jib trim directs the airflow over the main, so your jib should have the 3 sets of telltales streaming backwards.

Play with the outhaul to get the correct amount of draft for the particular sailing conditions and you will see the difference. The best news is.......you're out sailing!!

Ben

 

[Oliverhg]

I let the main slide out on the traveller and usually can make the boat go faster if I pull the main out more to lea side. I go by the speed instruments when deciding where to place the boom on the traveller.

However, everyone else on the water under the same conditions seems to have their boom on their centerline and tight. So I am wondering if I am missing something or is it because I am dealing with the big main typical of Hunters.

 

[ben solomon]

As you stated, it is because the hunters have a large main, and the keel configuration is most likely different. Seriously, though, adjust your outhaul tension. It will make a difference to you.

Ben

 

[Oliverhg]

Thanks and I do adjust the outhaul to change the draft (belly) of the sail.

Here, I am also likely to have more draft than what I see other boats do. My main tends to have a slight luff whereas everyone else seems to have their main tight, flat and centered.

In the end, I have to go by the speed instruments. I make the adjustments and wait to see what happens. The wind don't always cooperate by being constant so there is always room for doubt.

Good to hear others have the same feeling about the larger main on Hunters. I see other posts here about reducing weather helm by letting the main out. For me, there is always weather helm even when the main is at the end of the traveller at close reach, but it is a lot less.

 

[ben solomon]

I see other posts here about reducing weather helm by letting the main out. For me, there is always weather helm even when the main is at the end of the traveller at close reach, but it is a lot less.

Amen, brother. I, too, suffer with weather helm unless I reef. It makes heaving to difficult, at times. I have a yankee cut jib, so the force of the main to weather is always larger than the force of the jib leeward, unless I am reefed.

 

[braol]

Amen, brother. I, too, suffer with weather helm unless I reef. It makes heaving to difficult, at times. I have a yankee cut jib, so the force of the main to weather is always larger than the force of the jib leeward, unless I am reefed.

I wonder if that's why the 37 Cutter is such a good boat when in 'sloop mode' (one headsail)? I had often wondered if my boat (old H27) with a smaller mainsail, stepped slightly further aft, might not have a more neutral helm and be more weatherly when the wind pipes up and I have to reef or heave-to.