Does anyone else feel that the 240 has quite a bit of sideways movement in light wings. I seem to feel that this sideways movement is a bit of a problem. Although I suppose that in all contidions hull speed and momentum are essential.
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Joe R
Light winds
In light to very light winds, the 240 is painfully slow. They reduced sail area to make it more stable in normal to high winds. It's plenty fast at 9 or above, but around 5, it's a dog. You may see some surface water moving with the wind in such a direction as to make the boat SEEMlike its moving sideways, but I doubt seriously if it actually is. They did engineer the boat very well and even in light winds, it will track straight. EXCEPT IN NEAR ZERO WIND
In light to very light winds, the 240 is painfully slow. They reduced sail area to make it more stable in normal to high winds. It's plenty fast at 9 or above, but around 5, it's a dog. You may see some surface water moving with the wind in such a direction as to make the boat SEEMlike its moving sideways, but I doubt seriously if it actually is. They did engineer the boat very well and even in light winds, it will track straight. EXCEPT IN NEAR ZERO WIND
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Big T
Suprise, Suprise
A very interesting thing happened this weekend on Tampa Bay. In 5 knot winds and 3 adults, my 240 easily passed a 32 Catalina! So, she's not too doggy in light air. But, as expected, shortly afterward, some better air moved in at a solid 10-12 knots and the Catalina eventually caught and passed me. Rpleasure!
A very interesting thing happened this weekend on Tampa Bay. In 5 knot winds and 3 adults, my 240 easily passed a 32 Catalina! So, she's not too doggy in light air. But, as expected, shortly afterward, some better air moved in at a solid 10-12 knots and the Catalina eventually caught and passed me. Rpleasure!
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Ken Shubert
Yes, but.....
I have a pretty good reason. Quite often I'll pull the keel-board up when going with the wind, just to get that extra 1/2 kt or so. Then I decide to change course a few degrees and start side slipping. Mine is a H23.5 and I've also noticed that we don't always go where we're pointed even with the board down. When I set the autopilot to go to a waypoint, it certainly doesn't steer where I would but the end result on the GPS track always shows it was the direct route. These little boats can sure outdo the big guys in light and puffy winds! We don't have so much bulk to get moving. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
I have a pretty good reason. Quite often I'll pull the keel-board up when going with the wind, just to get that extra 1/2 kt or so. Then I decide to change course a few degrees and start side slipping. Mine is a H23.5 and I've also noticed that we don't always go where we're pointed even with the board down. When I set the autopilot to go to a waypoint, it certainly doesn't steer where I would but the end result on the GPS track always shows it was the direct route. These little boats can sure outdo the big guys in light and puffy winds! We don't have so much bulk to get moving. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Bryan C.
This is true for all boats.
All boats have more relative leeway (sideways movement) in light winds, particularly high freeboard models like most later model production boats. The thing that prevents leeway is the foil formed by the keel. Just like an airplane wing requires a certain amount of air passing across it before it will generate lift; at slow speed less water is passing around the keel and it has less "lift." Result, more leeway relative to the given speed. This is one situation where a deep fin keel (which produces less drag and better lift) with perform a little better than a shallow keel.
All boats have more relative leeway (sideways movement) in light winds, particularly high freeboard models like most later model production boats. The thing that prevents leeway is the foil formed by the keel. Just like an airplane wing requires a certain amount of air passing across it before it will generate lift; at slow speed less water is passing around the keel and it has less "lift." Result, more leeway relative to the given speed. This is one situation where a deep fin keel (which produces less drag and better lift) with perform a little better than a shallow keel.
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Bryan C.
P.S. on leeway
Based on your question and terminology, I'm assuming you are an inexperienced sailor -- don't mean to insult you if you are not. A common beginner's mistake that can result in leeway -- particularly in light winds -- is to sheet the sails too tight on a beam reach (when the wind is coming more or less perpendicular to your boat). Sheeting the sails in tight makes you feel like the boat is going faster, because it leans over a little more which we tend to associate with speed. But that is not necessary so. On a beam reach, tightly sheeted sails will cause the boat to lean over, and also cause speed to decrease. Both these things cause more leeway. Let your sails out, the mainsheet right to where she begins to luff, the jib based on the streaming leeward telltales. Why? Because the sails are also like airplane wings when your on a beam reach or pointing closer to the apparent wind. Airplanes wouldn't fly so good if the wings were perpendicular to the ground.
Based on your question and terminology, I'm assuming you are an inexperienced sailor -- don't mean to insult you if you are not. A common beginner's mistake that can result in leeway -- particularly in light winds -- is to sheet the sails too tight on a beam reach (when the wind is coming more or less perpendicular to your boat). Sheeting the sails in tight makes you feel like the boat is going faster, because it leans over a little more which we tend to associate with speed. But that is not necessary so. On a beam reach, tightly sheeted sails will cause the boat to lean over, and also cause speed to decrease. Both these things cause more leeway. Let your sails out, the mainsheet right to where she begins to luff, the jib based on the streaming leeward telltales. Why? Because the sails are also like airplane wings when your on a beam reach or pointing closer to the apparent wind. Airplanes wouldn't fly so good if the wings were perpendicular to the ground.
I agree with Bryan C
There are experienced sailors who make the same mistake, especially since there are no telltales on the mainsail. It's easy to tell if the main is undertrimmed (it luffs) but it's harder to tell if it's overtrimmed. The only way is to ease every so often until it starts to luff, and then trim as Bryan described. One of my first sailing instructors told me to remember that "a fat sail is a happy sail". Peter S/V Raven
There are experienced sailors who make the same mistake, especially since there are no telltales on the mainsail. It's easy to tell if the main is undertrimmed (it luffs) but it's harder to tell if it's overtrimmed. The only way is to ease every so often until it starts to luff, and then trim as Bryan described. One of my first sailing instructors told me to remember that "a fat sail is a happy sail". Peter S/V Raven
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Joe R
not so doggy afterall
I was out yest. in light winds and had the pleasurable experience of passing a yawl with all three sails out. She must have been very heavy. My angst occurs when a friend in a 25 ft Tornado passes me in 4 to 6 knotts of wind. I can out run him in 12 to 15 knots. The main thing is I'm happy with the boat overall. The large cockpit is luxurious compared to other 28 to 35 footers. And the ease of solo sailing is beyond compare. Happy rest of the season all!
I was out yest. in light winds and had the pleasurable experience of passing a yawl with all three sails out. She must have been very heavy. My angst occurs when a friend in a 25 ft Tornado passes me in 4 to 6 knotts of wind. I can out run him in 12 to 15 knots. The main thing is I'm happy with the boat overall. The large cockpit is luxurious compared to other 28 to 35 footers. And the ease of solo sailing is beyond compare. Happy rest of the season all!
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