Hello Everyone: What is generally the proper sail trim for windspeeds between 18 to 25 knots? I have a 27ft. Catalina standard rig and 135 genoa. My approach would be to just reef the main once and pull in the genoa (meaning not let it furl out all the way) to keep me at about a 20 degree incline. Comments? Thanks Melody s/v Spice of Life
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Tim McCarty
Yes, reef the main, pull in the genny
and when in doubt, let it out! I have a b&r rig with my H29.5, so, in those kind of conditions, I would definitely double reef the main, but, I'm guessing for your boat, a single reef would do fine. I also try to maintain a 15 degree incline by adjusting the mainsheet...
and when in doubt, let it out! I have a b&r rig with my H29.5, so, in those kind of conditions, I would definitely double reef the main, but, I'm guessing for your boat, a single reef would do fine. I also try to maintain a 15 degree incline by adjusting the mainsheet...
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Larry T sailing Ruby
Sailing in High Winds
Hi Melody, That sounds like a pretty good plan to me! I have a Catalina 27 also out of Yorktown, Va. When I said "High Winds" in the title - that's to indicate I feel that over 15-20 is as high as I will sail in given a choice. When I sailed my "new to me" boat down from Annapolis we ran into just the kind of weather you describe and we had 2 reefs and very little head sail exposed on the roller furler - just enough to keep her balanced. I'm not the kind who's comfortable with over 20 degree heel, so to me it was perfect - and we made great time! Larry on "Ruby" 1974 Catalina 27
Hi Melody, That sounds like a pretty good plan to me! I have a Catalina 27 also out of Yorktown, Va. When I said "High Winds" in the title - that's to indicate I feel that over 15-20 is as high as I will sail in given a choice. When I sailed my "new to me" boat down from Annapolis we ran into just the kind of weather you describe and we had 2 reefs and very little head sail exposed on the roller furler - just enough to keep her balanced. I'm not the kind who's comfortable with over 20 degree heel, so to me it was perfect - and we made great time! Larry on "Ruby" 1974 Catalina 27
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Bill O'Donovan
Beam reach
Once you've reefed and let the sail out, a beam reach is the most consistently comfortable. Otherwise, a gust while on a close haul will immediately round you up. Beam reach gives you a second or two to react and fight it back to beam while still maintaining good speed.
Once you've reefed and let the sail out, a beam reach is the most consistently comfortable. Otherwise, a gust while on a close haul will immediately round you up. Beam reach gives you a second or two to react and fight it back to beam while still maintaining good speed.
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Don Flowers
Weather helm
I think the single reef and reduced head sail was correct. I also consider how the helm feels. If you feel that your tiller or wheel has too much weather helm, either power down your main, or put in the 2nd reef. Remember, sailing is suppost to be fun as well as safe. I also try to keep the heel at 20 deg. or less. Weather helm increases as you heel over. I know how all you race guys feel about putting the rail in the water, (your just not going fast if the toe rail isn't 6 inches under water) LOL just said in fun, don't go crazy. Have fun sailing, however you like. You know it's kinda like sex, everybody has their own style. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
I think the single reef and reduced head sail was correct. I also consider how the helm feels. If you feel that your tiller or wheel has too much weather helm, either power down your main, or put in the 2nd reef. Remember, sailing is suppost to be fun as well as safe. I also try to keep the heel at 20 deg. or less. Weather helm increases as you heel over. I know how all you race guys feel about putting the rail in the water, (your just not going fast if the toe rail isn't 6 inches under water) LOL just said in fun, don't go crazy. Have fun sailing, however you like. You know it's kinda like sex, everybody has their own style. Don Flowers Rockport, Tx.
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Augie Byllott
Suck in as much as you have to.
To me, the key is to first to feel safe, next to feel comfortable. I reef and furl as much as necessary in order to keep the boat on its feet and moving well. As conditions change, I adjust to accommodate them. My 2¢.
To me, the key is to first to feel safe, next to feel comfortable. I reef and furl as much as necessary in order to keep the boat on its feet and moving well. As conditions change, I adjust to accommodate them. My 2¢.
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tomD
point of sail matters, but...
The boat should handle one reef in the main and the headsail furled so the clew easily passes before the mast (90%). That should allow you to pull to wind but still make time off the wind. Furled much more and it won't point, any less and it will just round up on you.
The boat should handle one reef in the main and the headsail furled so the clew easily passes before the mast (90%). That should allow you to pull to wind but still make time off the wind. Furled much more and it won't point, any less and it will just round up on you.
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Joe
Use the traveller....
... once you get the twist set and the the boat balanced for the conditions. Use the traveller to tweak the helm. Under those conditions all sails should be in flat mode. See Don's trim guide for detail.
... once you get the twist set and the the boat balanced for the conditions. Use the traveller to tweak the helm. Under those conditions all sails should be in flat mode. See Don's trim guide for detail.
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tom b. c-22
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