Sail trim

[Hawk4661]

Friday while moving from a port tack to starboard. I could not get the bow through the wind and came close to being blown into the shore/dock area I was about two boat lengths out. I was on a reefed main w winds around 10 knots gusting to 15 or more.
I have experienced the same problem the following day even though I stayed much farther off shore.......much ligther wind conditions?
Question from novice sailor......? Is there a rigging adjustment necessary or is it a boat tracking speed error, underpowered while tacking?
txs in advance......fair winds to all.

 

[inarathree]

I can answer this, if you can answer these questions:
What lenght boat is this?
Are you sailing with a jib/genoa?
When you tack at what point are you releasing them?
When you tack are you throwing the rudder hard (trying to tack sharply) or easy (wider tack)?

 

[gfroch]

Try back-winding the jib. When you tack, don't release the working jib sheet right away. The jib will become back-winded and help push the bow through the wind. Then, after the bow has come completely across the wind, release the windward sheet, sheet in the new working sheet, but sail "fat" a bit off the wind before tightening up to help re-gain boat speed.

Try it a few times with plenty of room and you'll get it. Good luck and have a blast!

 

[Alan]

Good points made. When attempting to tack do not steer sharply to the other tack. This will only serve to slow the boat down a lot. Think of the rudder as the brake pedal in your car. Approach the tack with boat speed, tacking a slow boat can be real difficult to impossible. Center the traveler and sheet in the main. Turn the tiller to tack and leave the jib sheet alone. As the boat turns the jib will backwind helping to drive the bow across the wind as the bow crosses head to wind release the jib sheet and take up on the new sheet. The main is already taken care of so there's nothing to do with it. Steer your new heading and trim main sheet and jib sheet.
Practice this over and over but remember to build speed each time before you start your tack.

 

[Hawk4661]

Thank you guys....orginal question showed I was on a "reefed main" only. No genoa flying.
The boat as shown is a 23.5.
I believe the correct answer is more boat speed before tack and not a sharp turn when moving into new tack.
How deficullt is singlehanded sailing a 110 genoa? txs guys

 

[peptobysmol]

Practice this over and over but remember to build speed each time before you start your tack.

It all starts here. The other thing is you probably need more power? I wouldn't have just a reefed main in 10 knt wind. With that you'd be better served with a full main and a jib. Play the gusts with the traveller (if it has adjustable blocks) or mainsheet and or pointing higher with the tiller. Since your new, just use a full main and play the gusts as I mentioned until your ready to add a jib/genoa. Once you are comfortable with the main and jib you'll feel like a Real sailor!!!

 

[Ray T]

I used to sail my O'day 23 and my Cal 227 singlehanded with a 110 in stronger breezes and a 155 in lighter air. You shouldn't have any problem with a 110.

 

[sesmith]

A furler on your jib would make it easy to put out as much jib as you want, especially if single handed. 10-15 mph winds should be no problem with full main and jib out. If they are gusting much more than that, you will probably want to have a reefed main, at least. You could then easily furl some of the jib as needed if the wind picks up.

As already stated, you needed more speed (and more sail out) to make the turn properly.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I've found that these small Hunters point very poorly in high winds with main alone. It's all that high freeboard on the bow and cabin getting blown downwind.

I also had a hard time tacking until I pulled a bit of jib back off the furler. The head sail moves the center of effort forward in relation to the pivot point, making it easier to turn through the wind.

If you don't have a furling jib then consider getting a small jib, or even a storm jib, to use when you have a reefed main.

 

[gfroch]

Hi Mark H -

I didn't get from your original post that you were flying the main only. That could be your answer. I agree with the other poster that these boats generally need some jib. I have an h26 by the way. Very similar. If the wind is overpowering, I will sail under main alone if I'm on a course that only requires a broad reach to a run. I'm not sure if you have a roller furling jib or not, but if so you can control how much jib you use. If not, you'll need to read the puffs. Even with the sail furled, you'll have a challenge pointing.

have a blast!

 

[Hawk4661]

Thanks guys all good info.

 

[Bill Jones]

As far as single handling, I often use the aft cleats for the jib sheets rather than the cleats next to the winches. I probably don't get the most efficient use out of the jib, but I'm not trying to break speed record anyway. It requires less moving around the cockpit. Also, if you're going to be doing quite a bit of solo sailing, I suggest you add a Tiller Tamer to your tiller. 23.5's have lively tillers and the Tiller Tamer allows you to let go of the tiller for a few seconds to better trim your sails. Inexpensive and works quite well.

Bill Jones
s/v Wind Dancer
H23.5

 

[Hawk4661]

Thank you Bill. I have just added a new wood tiller made for me by a friend. To it he added the "tiller tamer" I furnished as you refered too. I havnt been out since it installed. I may add another "storm jib" to my sails for when I reef main.