Sailing boat speed on a Hunter 49 or 50

[Romagic]

What kind of boat speed are you getting when you are sailing? I think I am sailing slow, but I am not sure why.

We do about 8.0 kts under power, but it is rare for us to get above 5 when sailing. (In mast roller furler)

 

[bananabender56]

By the sound of it you still have the main furled

 

[Scott B]

I can get 6- 6.5 knots in 12- 15 knots wind in my 33 and towing a dinghy, so you should easily be above 7 if not 8 knots. What wind conditions, sail configuration, point of sail etc. Give us some more info and can help.

 

[centerline]

what is the wind speed that you are sailing in?.... what size of jib/genoa do you have?..

given that you have wind and the proper sail area for that wind, its all about sail trim after that. the sail trim can either be done using the control lines on the boat or it may have to be done by the sailmaker, depending on the conditions of the sails....

to push the boat to maximum hull speed like your motor can do will take a good wind or lots of sail. but you should be able get within a knot and a half fairly easy...

 

[Rick D]

It may be the nature of where you are sailing. Santa Monica Bay is notorious for light air conditions; 7-12 knots. You probably need 18 knots to get to hull speed.

 

[Marc14857]

Sailing Speed

Like others have said your speed is dependent on several variables. Just as a rough reference point however, it takes a good 15 knots + of wind to get our H44 up to ~ 6.5 - 7.0 knots on a beam reach. I have a fixed 3 blade prop and in mast main. The performance of the main is very sensitive to the outhaul position and under the conditions above we have a pretty deep belly in the sail.

 

[waternwaves]

how much material is growing on the hull?

 

[Gatch30]

I'm in a H45 in main and just small jib. Reaching in 10 to 12 knot wind I can do 5 to 6 knots. In 13 to 18 knots I can do 7 to hull speed 8.3, no surfing. What condition are your sails in?

 

[Brezzin]

On my 49 I expect to do about 50% of apparent wind speed. I honestly don't think you could do much better on a cruising boat.

Roller furled main, 110 jib 4 bladed Variprop

 

[artboas]

Easily 8 knots

On my 49 I expect to do about 50% of apparent wind speed. I honestly don't think you could do much better on a cruising boat.

Roller furled main, 110 jib 4 bladed Variprop

On my 49, I'm up to 8 knots in 12 knots TWS without a sweat. With 15 knots of wind we are doing 9 - 10 knots

What I did was have a really nice #1 Genoa made, which makes all the difference
The boat came with the self tacking Genoa, which I've used twice. Way too small
I have convinced other 49 owners to do the same thing, and they can't believe the difference.
I also have a 4 blade variprop

 

[Richandhelen]

On my 49, I'm up to 8 knots in 12 knots TWS without a sweat. With 15 knots of wind we are doing 9 - 10 knots What I did was have a really nice #1 Genoa made, which makes all the difference The boat came with the self tacking Genoa, which I've used twice. Way too small I have convinced other 49 owners to do the same thing, and they can't believe the difference. I also have a 4 blade variprop

what is the size of your #1- Genoa, please?

 

[Romagic]

Thanks for all the responses.

In relatively small seas and 12-14 kts of wind, we are doing 5 kts or slightly faster, peaking at 5.5. As the wind comes up, I find that we heel a lot more, but are not going a lot faster.

I thought all the Hunters had a small headsail. The H49 comes with a 110 genoa. Our sales are far from new, but they are not in bad shape.

(The bottom is clean).

I appreciate Marc's comment. I tend to keep my main pretty flat. I am will leave it a little fuller next weekend and report back.

Thanks again.

 

[artboas]

My #1 genoa

what is the size of your #1- Genoa, please?

Call Greg at quantum sails Toronto
He has the specs on the #1.
Anyone who owns a 49 and uses the self tacker is really missing out on how well this boat performs.