sailing down wind

[peconic bay]

I sail a catalina 27T and always struggle when sailing down wind. I find it difficult to keep the jib full, and the course steady. Can anyone give me a few tips that may help?

thanks,

peconic bay

 

[John24107]

Whisker pole

I assume you're talking about wing 'n wing sailing? You might try a whisker pole to hold out the clew. Alternatively, sail a little bit off of dead down wind taking the wind just a little to leeward (the side with the boom)of directly abaft the boat. Careful!!! Use a restraining device on the boom to avoid an accidental jibe!

If you weren't thinking in terms of wing 'n wing, your mainsail is shielding your jib from the wind thereby preventing it from filling. I'd imagine that would be a particular problem with a tall rig given the large main.

 

[Don Guillette]

Downwind

Go to THE SAIL TRIM FORUM on this site and click on downwind sailing. Really, there isn't a lot to it and dead down wind (DDW) is the slowest point of sail. If you want to get anywhere you have to sail a bit off of DDW. With DDW wing on wing is the only way to go.

 

[peconic bay]

thanks

thanks for the reply,

I have been trying to sail wing and wing with a wisker pole.

I will check out the trim forum.

thnaks again

 

[peconic bay]

thanks wisker pole

thanks fo rthe response,

I have been trying to sail wing and wing, with a wisker pole.

The boat speed seemed slow that is why I asked for help. I will have to try sialing a bit off dead down wind.

Thanks again.