In winds of 20 knots I have not found the right combination of sails to sail efficiently. I have reefed and used partial jib,etc. Any ideas?
- Status
You were out there too, huh? Less sail area or heavier keel (stronger righting arm) are the only solutions. Add more reef points to your main. Furl till the jib looks like a hankerchief. A storm jib's a better solution because it has a better shape and the sail area is not so high up. I have one, but didn't think to put it up until after we'd gotten into the thick of it. Too late.
June 2nd on the bay
If you're talking about the wind conditions on the Cheseapeak Bay this past Sunday, well, they were wild, HUH?! We were coming back from Worton Creek Marina (nice place to eat up on he hill by the way) to Havre de Grace and we only had our main out, not reefed. It was a wild, great and fast ride! My Hunter 285 is rated only for 6 knots but we were up to 7 and sometimes above! That was what my knot meter and my GPS said so I tend to think it was true. We got back to port in record time compared to the day before when we had to tack all the way down. When we reached the "slot" as I call it, the channel from Sandy Point to Havre de Grace, we were head to wind and had enough so we pulled that sail down and motored in but the conditions got worse! I had bay coming up over the bow almost back to the mast. Yikes! Still it was fun but both my wife and I had our auto PFDs on and we were jack lined to the boat. Beside reefing the main, which you should try and do BEFORE going out in a wind like last Sunday's, and/or running with a storm jib there isn't much you can do except stay in port and clean/fx the boat. We had to get back on Sunday so the choice was simple. Still we loved it! Who says sailing isn't exciting!?
If you're talking about the wind conditions on the Cheseapeak Bay this past Sunday, well, they were wild, HUH?! We were coming back from Worton Creek Marina (nice place to eat up on he hill by the way) to Havre de Grace and we only had our main out, not reefed. It was a wild, great and fast ride! My Hunter 285 is rated only for 6 knots but we were up to 7 and sometimes above! That was what my knot meter and my GPS said so I tend to think it was true. We got back to port in record time compared to the day before when we had to tack all the way down. When we reached the "slot" as I call it, the channel from Sandy Point to Havre de Grace, we were head to wind and had enough so we pulled that sail down and motored in but the conditions got worse! I had bay coming up over the bow almost back to the mast. Yikes! Still it was fun but both my wife and I had our auto PFDs on and we were jack lined to the boat. Beside reefing the main, which you should try and do BEFORE going out in a wind like last Sunday's, and/or running with a storm jib there isn't much you can do except stay in port and clean/fx the boat. We had to get back on Sunday so the choice was simple. Still we loved it! Who says sailing isn't exciting!?
Reefed main alone
Our 29.5 handles pretty well with a double reefed main alone. Thats "bare-headed" and you won't point real high but you can still sail.
Our 29.5 handles pretty well with a double reefed main alone. Thats "bare-headed" and you won't point real high but you can still sail.
When rolling in the jib to 70% and less I have
found that moving the jib sheet blocks forward helps alot on my boat. It helps control the flogging when the standard setting becomes useless. Ray S/V Speedy
found that moving the jib sheet blocks forward helps alot on my boat. It helps control the flogging when the standard setting becomes useless. Ray S/V Speedy
tender
the 29.5 is a tender boat. Y0u have to reef alot and early. If you have a double reef main and 1/2 jib that should be ok , for anything more an additional reef)3rd) would be helpful. If all else fails, use a small amt of jib and also the iron jenny.
the 29.5 is a tender boat. Y0u have to reef alot and early. If you have a double reef main and 1/2 jib that should be ok , for anything more an additional reef)3rd) would be helpful. If all else fails, use a small amt of jib and also the iron jenny.
29.5 Tender?
I really don't think the 29.5 is that tender. Maybe my life is a bit sheltered but I like a good breeze on the 29.5
I really don't think the 29.5 is that tender. Maybe my life is a bit sheltered but I like a good breeze on the 29.5
other combos
I have tried .... reefed main alone - agree that boat loses pointing ability but in real strong winds some is lost anyway. Overall this is not the worst strategy. Boat may have trouble with tacking. Tendency to get caught in irons - forcing a gybe in bad conditions. Especially if you don't reduce windage from all that stuff on deck e.g. biminis, dodgers, dinghys, etc. jib alone - poor pointing ability and lots of folks say it is dangerous for the rig. I have done it in 25 - 30 but probably won't do it again. Only benefit is it is easy to set and strike sail without going on deck -- if your furler is set up correctly and will bring in sail in such high winds! double reefed main and reefed jib - this is without a doubt the best. I have thought of adding a third reef and may do so next year. you can also use the traveler adjustment and change the jib sheet position to de-power the sails. I also de-trim the main and let it spill air - lots of it if needed - to keep the boat up on its feet. Of course the best strategy is to go in a different direction! Head downwind - it is a brand new day! Hence the old adage "Gentleman neber sail to weather". If you are cruising, just pick a different port to head for! After all, you came out there to sail, who cares where you go. Don't let your crew make promises about your cruising schedule - party where you get to not where you committed to. Just keep your options open and keep off the lee shores. Nearly as I can remember every one I ever heard of who sunk or crashed got there by insisting on going to a particular place at a particular time no matter what the conditions. The list includes Titanic, Edmund Fitzgerald, Charley's Crab, Great White, ... get the pic?? But then it is a lesson I am slow to learn too and at least once a season I find myself going the wrong way at the worst time. And of course if you race, the decision is already made. Have fun, Sail safe and fast Bill Murray Good Faith H29.5
I have tried .... reefed main alone - agree that boat loses pointing ability but in real strong winds some is lost anyway. Overall this is not the worst strategy. Boat may have trouble with tacking. Tendency to get caught in irons - forcing a gybe in bad conditions. Especially if you don't reduce windage from all that stuff on deck e.g. biminis, dodgers, dinghys, etc. jib alone - poor pointing ability and lots of folks say it is dangerous for the rig. I have done it in 25 - 30 but probably won't do it again. Only benefit is it is easy to set and strike sail without going on deck -- if your furler is set up correctly and will bring in sail in such high winds! double reefed main and reefed jib - this is without a doubt the best. I have thought of adding a third reef and may do so next year. you can also use the traveler adjustment and change the jib sheet position to de-power the sails. I also de-trim the main and let it spill air - lots of it if needed - to keep the boat up on its feet. Of course the best strategy is to go in a different direction! Head downwind - it is a brand new day! Hence the old adage "Gentleman neber sail to weather". If you are cruising, just pick a different port to head for! After all, you came out there to sail, who cares where you go. Don't let your crew make promises about your cruising schedule - party where you get to not where you committed to. Just keep your options open and keep off the lee shores. Nearly as I can remember every one I ever heard of who sunk or crashed got there by insisting on going to a particular place at a particular time no matter what the conditions. The list includes Titanic, Edmund Fitzgerald, Charley's Crab, Great White, ... get the pic?? But then it is a lesson I am slow to learn too and at least once a season I find myself going the wrong way at the worst time. And of course if you race, the decision is already made. Have fun, Sail safe and fast Bill Murray Good Faith H29.5
All hands on deck!
Well, we sail on an inland lake. This means that, for one, a MOB situation generally isn't near as dangerous. Even when the winds are strong, they're not near as steady. This can mean some irritation when we've reefed, but it can also mean a welcome break here & there in a big wind. So bearing that in mind, we're pretty much nutcases when it comes to a good blow. The highest was 36 knots - more work than play, but certainly exciting. When it's just the two of us, we'll put one reef in the main, & sail with a full or partial jib. We've tried just using the main, but the the loss of point makes it hardly worth it. The BEST thing we've found is to just put a whole lotta people on the boat. Put one reef in the main if we think we need it (only if we think we might give up speed to heel of course), two people manning the jib & sit everybody else on the high side. I get an adrenaline rush just thinking about it! When that option is available, it's the best. More weight & more hands to help.
Well, we sail on an inland lake. This means that, for one, a MOB situation generally isn't near as dangerous. Even when the winds are strong, they're not near as steady. This can mean some irritation when we've reefed, but it can also mean a welcome break here & there in a big wind. So bearing that in mind, we're pretty much nutcases when it comes to a good blow. The highest was 36 knots - more work than play, but certainly exciting. When it's just the two of us, we'll put one reef in the main, & sail with a full or partial jib. We've tried just using the main, but the the loss of point makes it hardly worth it. The BEST thing we've found is to just put a whole lotta people on the boat. Put one reef in the main if we think we need it (only if we think we might give up speed to heel of course), two people manning the jib & sit everybody else on the high side. I get an adrenaline rush just thinking about it! When that option is available, it's the best. More weight & more hands to help.
Reefing Etc
Bill, I find reefing the main to the second point and easing the traveler to let some wind spill out helps alot. Then add enough jib to take the pressure off the helm. Then hold on and have fun.
Bill, I find reefing the main to the second point and easing the traveler to let some wind spill out helps alot. Then add enough jib to take the pressure off the helm. Then hold on and have fun.
Better full out at those winds
Bill, I was sailing in 18 to 24mph winds yesterday and tried reefed and full open sails and found that the best response and trim came full out. I didn't feel that the boat was near overpowered by the winds, although there were some moments of deep heeling on the right combination of gust and waves, but the boat quickly recovered. I noticed 4 other boats out at the same time and no one was reefing. Good luck.
Bill, I was sailing in 18 to 24mph winds yesterday and tried reefed and full open sails and found that the best response and trim came full out. I didn't feel that the boat was near overpowered by the winds, although there were some moments of deep heeling on the right combination of gust and waves, but the boat quickly recovered. I noticed 4 other boats out at the same time and no one was reefing. Good luck.
I've sailed tender boats...29.5 is NOT
I have sailed a number of 'tender' boats. These are boats that jerk around in heavy air. However, I have been sailing the 29.5 since 1994 in all kinds of conditions (maxed in 35 knots). I have even tried to burry the rail in 25 knots. It can't be done! The boat is ment to sail on its feet. Yes, one must reef earily. I put in reef 1 over 12 knots and reef two at about 20. I have raced the boat in many conditions and have always smoked the fleet in heavy air. This boat will sail upright and exceed its numbers. Let me know if you want some sail trim suggestions. Bruce
I have sailed a number of 'tender' boats. These are boats that jerk around in heavy air. However, I have been sailing the 29.5 since 1994 in all kinds of conditions (maxed in 35 knots). I have even tried to burry the rail in 25 knots. It can't be done! The boat is ment to sail on its feet. Yes, one must reef earily. I put in reef 1 over 12 knots and reef two at about 20. I have raced the boat in many conditions and have always smoked the fleet in heavy air. This boat will sail upright and exceed its numbers. Let me know if you want some sail trim suggestions. Bruce
Condition of Sails?
Bill - Maybe the sails have too much draft. If you're having that much problem in 20 kts, and you've tried several sail combinations, it may be time to visit a sailmaker. Take some pictures of the sails while under sail, looking from the deck up toward the mast. Try to get a shot of the cross section from the luff to the leach. The 29.5 doesn't sail like a Westsail 32 but it shouldn't heal like a Hobie 33 either, and if it does one should check the condition of the sails.
Bill - Maybe the sails have too much draft. If you're having that much problem in 20 kts, and you've tried several sail combinations, it may be time to visit a sailmaker. Take some pictures of the sails while under sail, looking from the deck up toward the mast. Try to get a shot of the cross section from the luff to the leach. The 29.5 doesn't sail like a Westsail 32 but it shouldn't heal like a Hobie 33 either, and if it does one should check the condition of the sails.
Trim
I just purchased a Hunter 29.5 from 1996. After a few sailing trips with winds of about 10 knots I have to give too much rudder to prevent her from going through the wind. I cannot imagine that the previous owners enjoyed this. Apparently she needs some trimming, but there is hardly any possibility to put the mast more forward because the bolts in the turnbuckles are almost at the end. Is this a known problem with the 29.5?
I just purchased a Hunter 29.5 from 1996. After a few sailing trips with winds of about 10 knots I have to give too much rudder to prevent her from going through the wind. I cannot imagine that the previous owners enjoyed this. Apparently she needs some trimming, but there is hardly any possibility to put the mast more forward because the bolts in the turnbuckles are almost at the end. Is this a known problem with the 29.5?
- Status