I am beginning my third year sailing my 26x. I have two concerns and maybe someone out there can help. In 10-12 (or more) knots of wind, I end up being pushed sideways rather than maintaining any forward speed. The board is down the motor is up and sidways we go. My sense is that it is sailshape meaning too much bulge in the main as well as the genoa which is on the furler. I can't seem to get either, flat. Any suggestions? #2- The boat seems to be very slow through the tack and quite often stalls. Being in irons is a good way to ruin an otherwise beautiful day on the water. Any suggestions?
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Sailing in strong winds...
Robert, There are several things you might try. First if the wind is very strong (More than 15 to 20 kts), reduce sail. Second pull up the center board a little bit. Third move the blocks on your jib or jenoa as far aft as possible (this will help flatten the sail). Use the boom vang to help flatten the main. There are many other ways to change sail shape but these are the things that I do and they seem to work for me. Best of luck and good sailing, Tim Bastian Zephyr's Aura Hixson, TN
Robert, There are several things you might try. First if the wind is very strong (More than 15 to 20 kts), reduce sail. Second pull up the center board a little bit. Third move the blocks on your jib or jenoa as far aft as possible (this will help flatten the sail). Use the boom vang to help flatten the main. There are many other ways to change sail shape but these are the things that I do and they seem to work for me. Best of luck and good sailing, Tim Bastian Zephyr's Aura Hixson, TN
Sailing sdieways
Being set sideways on a boat with a centerboard is usually a factor of too much heal. Try better counter balance measures or let your main out a little or set your traveler to the leeward side. Too much bag in your sails could mean the sails are "blow-out" but more than likely there is a problem with settings. Move your jib sheet traveler back and forth until you obtain a good jib shape, and try using a boom-vang for your main.
Being set sideways on a boat with a centerboard is usually a factor of too much heal. Try better counter balance measures or let your main out a little or set your traveler to the leeward side. Too much bag in your sails could mean the sails are "blow-out" but more than likely there is a problem with settings. Move your jib sheet traveler back and forth until you obtain a good jib shape, and try using a boom-vang for your main.
At least you know...
which way is forward! (see picture)
I agree with the other Mark. You need headway to create centerboard (and rudder) lift to prevent sideward slip. Once you have forward motion, you can sail closer to the wind. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
which way is forward! (see picture)
I agree with the other Mark. You need headway to create centerboard (and rudder) lift to prevent sideward slip. Once you have forward motion, you can sail closer to the wind. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArkAttachments
Read only if you give up?
Timm, Although it may not look it, the object in the picture is a boat. Not only is it a boat, it's one of the most ancient and efficient boat designs ever produced. In spite of its awkward appearance, that boat can out-sail almost any cruiser. The secret is in its long, thin main hull (top) that carries 75% - 100% of the weight (depending on wind and sail) and a shorter, lighter windward hull (I'll explain the "windward" part later) that acts as a counter balance. The mast is mounted inboard of the main hull so the shrouds form a 3 sided pyramid. Spreaders aren't needed because the chainplates are so far from the mast. The wetted hull parts are long and thin so as to reduce bow waves. The hull speed is not limited by length. The cabin design, on the other hand, has little to do with the shape of the hull. The cabin can provide adequate living arrangements while offering minimum windage from an abeam wind. Since the main cabin area is always on the lee side ("lee" explanation coming too), the cabin can be wedge or pie shaped with the largest volume on the lee side. The extra cabin overhang on the lee side provides reserve buoyancy to prevent the boat from tipping all the way over in a gust. Now for the windward/lee part. This design always sails with the small hull (bottom of picture) to windward. Instead of tacking, it does a maneuver called shunting in which the boat stops and then heads off in the opposite direction. The bow becomes stern and vise-versa. Because this boat points so close to the wind, shunting is not done as often as tacking so it's no big deal. The AeroRig (main and jib on same 360 degree rotating boom) is perfect for this arrangement. http://www.harryproa.com/shuntinganimated.htm If you still haven't guessed, the boat in the picture is a “proa”. The picture comes from a German website (related link). More pictures are in the "Fotos der Segelyacht" section. (Don’t ask me, I don’t read German.) Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
Timm, Although it may not look it, the object in the picture is a boat. Not only is it a boat, it's one of the most ancient and efficient boat designs ever produced. In spite of its awkward appearance, that boat can out-sail almost any cruiser. The secret is in its long, thin main hull (top) that carries 75% - 100% of the weight (depending on wind and sail) and a shorter, lighter windward hull (I'll explain the "windward" part later) that acts as a counter balance. The mast is mounted inboard of the main hull so the shrouds form a 3 sided pyramid. Spreaders aren't needed because the chainplates are so far from the mast. The wetted hull parts are long and thin so as to reduce bow waves. The hull speed is not limited by length. The cabin design, on the other hand, has little to do with the shape of the hull. The cabin can provide adequate living arrangements while offering minimum windage from an abeam wind. Since the main cabin area is always on the lee side ("lee" explanation coming too), the cabin can be wedge or pie shaped with the largest volume on the lee side. The extra cabin overhang on the lee side provides reserve buoyancy to prevent the boat from tipping all the way over in a gust. Now for the windward/lee part. This design always sails with the small hull (bottom of picture) to windward. Instead of tacking, it does a maneuver called shunting in which the boat stops and then heads off in the opposite direction. The bow becomes stern and vise-versa. Because this boat points so close to the wind, shunting is not done as often as tacking so it's no big deal. The AeroRig (main and jib on same 360 degree rotating boom) is perfect for this arrangement. http://www.harryproa.com/shuntinganimated.htm If you still haven't guessed, the boat in the picture is a “proa”. The picture comes from a German website (related link). More pictures are in the "Fotos der Segelyacht" section. (Don’t ask me, I don’t read German.) Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
duh!
Mike..Mike ...MIKE You are trying to sail a planeing hull powerboat. Go out with ANY other real displacement hull sailboat (Macgregor 26s) and compare sailing. It will get even easier with a KEEL SAILBOAT. You have two choices.......take off the mast and turn the 26X into an RV or sell it and get a real sailboat. a former owner........ schooner
Mike..Mike ...MIKE You are trying to sail a planeing hull powerboat. Go out with ANY other real displacement hull sailboat (Macgregor 26s) and compare sailing. It will get even easier with a KEEL SAILBOAT. You have two choices.......take off the mast and turn the 26X into an RV or sell it and get a real sailboat. a former owner........ schooner
Skim it, Schooner
Schooner, Although I really like to watch the local schooners sail up and down along Deer Island in Biloxi, for sheer sailing speed, you don't want a displacement hull. The fastest sailboats are the lightest and have the least wetted surface. (see related link) The 26X has a flat bottom like a racing scow. If you don't load it down, and tune the rig properly, an experienced sailor can get 12 knots in a strong blow. Happy (star powered) sails *_/), MArk
Schooner, Although I really like to watch the local schooners sail up and down along Deer Island in Biloxi, for sheer sailing speed, you don't want a displacement hull. The fastest sailboats are the lightest and have the least wetted surface. (see related link) The 26X has a flat bottom like a racing scow. If you don't load it down, and tune the rig properly, an experienced sailor can get 12 knots in a strong blow. Happy (star powered) sails *_/), MArk
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