Steering at close reach

[Dave Bloch]

Thanks to good advice we received here last spring, we purchased a 1974 O'Day 20.She seems to be in great shape - but we are novice sailors who have been outnow three times. We are sailing in gentle winds on a local mountain lake. We are having some trouble steering the boat up-wind. We are fine as long as we are in a close reach, just at the edge of the "no-go" zone. When we try to steer more toward a broad reach, the wind takes the jib and blows the bow completely around.We let out the jib and this stops us from going in circles, but it seems thatwe should have better control over the boat. Is there something about the O'Day20 that contributes to this, or do we novice sailors just need more practice?{Yes, the keel was down; made that mistake once). Any tips would be appreciated.Thanks!

 

[Scooter]

Are you sailing with only the jib?

I'm answering this not because I'm an experienced sailor, but rather, this is my first year out, also. A good deal of my sailing experience has surely been entertainment for the lake campers.The most challenging aspect of sailing on our small lake is determining wind direction. My computer weather site tells me winds are out of the SE just a few miles from the lake. I get to the lake and the winds are ot of the SW! Then, I see a flag flying from the south; up about 15 cottages I see another flag flying from the north. I know variable winds can be a challenge, but please, Mother Nature, give me a break.If you're sure you're in a steady wind direction, my other experience with not being about to hold direction was the day I had my daughter practicing furling and unfurling the jib. The mainsail hadn't been hoisted. I seemed to have the difficulty you're describing till I hoisted the mainsail.Another discovery (duh!) is the weight of the boat, passengers, and light wind. When I read that some racers are asked to bring only a half toothbrush (to minimize weight)--I think that may have been a joke, but not sure--I realized that, even when the sail looks full, there may not be enough wind to pull a loaded boat and steering is impossible or very slow at best.Words of a rank beginner. Take them for what they are.Scooter

 

[ed]

adjust sail

Are you letting out the jib as you go to a broad reach? It sounds like you are loosing the airfoil shape of the sail & creating a parachute that is spinning the boat.Also on a broad reach CB boats often balance a little better with the CB partially(half way) up.Don't forget to ease main too. But if it eased so much that you aren't getting any lift, that may unbalance the boat & make it spin.I would suggest reading up on sail trim.Learn how to read the telltales on the sail & sail shape.A masthead wind indicater will allow you to monitor the relative direction of the wind.

 

[Eric the Red]

You're not alone ;-)

I had the same problem this weekend, trying to use the jib (and mainsail) in a close reach and being blown in a circle. Since I'm also new to sailing, I can't offer the best advice except that my limited experience with the jib so far has confirmed the need for a furling unit. The main benefit is that it allows you to reduce or increase the amount of sail as the wind dictates, which in turn helps you control the boat easier.

 

[ed]

Rounding up?

Is the boat rounding up into the wind or spinning away from it? I was assuming the latter.If it is rounding up to boat is overpowered.One thing that takes time to learn is reading the wind. It's always changing direction & speed. It's often easier to trim the sails to a general course then steer the boat to the wind as it fluctuates.Eric- in general, roller furling systems usually don't reef the sails very well. I know other will say they can, but unless the furler can maintain the sail shape, performance suffers.Look up weather helm & lee helm.Check out Annapolis Book of Seamanship by John Rousmaniere. It's very comprehensive for the beginner & advanced sailer.Good Luck, You'll figure it out.