I have a 1982 Hunter 33 and was wondering if anyone know what the optimum heeling angle is for it. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Sweet spot on a 1982 Hunter 33
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Two 33's - shoal and deep
You didn't tell us whether you have a deep or shoal keel. There is a difference. My shoal draft 1983 33 feels good from about 10 or 15 to about 30. It twill go further but gets harder to control with no great gain in speed. My feeling is with my boat 25 degrees is about right. I think most other people will tell you 10 with a max of 15 degrees. The deep keel will of course point higher and go a bit faster with less heel.
You didn't tell us whether you have a deep or shoal keel. There is a difference. My shoal draft 1983 33 feels good from about 10 or 15 to about 30. It twill go further but gets harder to control with no great gain in speed. My feeling is with my boat 25 degrees is about right. I think most other people will tell you 10 with a max of 15 degrees. The deep keel will of course point higher and go a bit faster with less heel.
There isn't any
The answer is when you start feeling too much weather helm, and it's time to reef, look at your inclometer. That's the answer.
The answer is when you start feeling too much weather helm, and it's time to reef, look at your inclometer. That's the answer.
My dad used to say that ALL sailors are racers-- an opinion shared by many sailors and designers. You're racing the other guy, or your best time, or the storm that's closing in from eight miles on your quarter. Just 'flubbing around' out there isn't what a Hunter 33 was designed to do. The object of this boat, as it is with any good sailing boat, is to get where you're going as quickly and safely as possible with the least possible effort.
Instead of asking where the 'sweet spot' is, find it yourself. It'll be where the speed drops off and increased heel angle (and discomfort) doesn't increase it. In all sailing, speed is indicative of efficiency. Very few boats move faster by becoming less efficient. If something you do makes the boat slow down, don't do that. If something you do makes the boat speed up, do that instead.
I will say this, though-- the Cherubini-designed boats are intended to HEEL over. My little H25 likes about 22-25 degrees. Get used to it-- take down the bimini to be able to actually see where you're going, secure excess gear where it doesn't conspire to get the boat out of trim, and practice good helmsmanship so your wake doesn't look like a slinky. Believe me, it's experience & education worth having and fun as well.
Instead of asking where the 'sweet spot' is, find it yourself. It'll be where the speed drops off and increased heel angle (and discomfort) doesn't increase it. In all sailing, speed is indicative of efficiency. Very few boats move faster by becoming less efficient. If something you do makes the boat slow down, don't do that. If something you do makes the boat speed up, do that instead.
I will say this, though-- the Cherubini-designed boats are intended to HEEL over. My little H25 likes about 22-25 degrees. Get used to it-- take down the bimini to be able to actually see where you're going, secure excess gear where it doesn't conspire to get the boat out of trim, and practice good helmsmanship so your wake doesn't look like a slinky. Believe me, it's experience & education worth having and fun as well.
Down In The Bow
Has anyone noticed a trim problem with the h-30? Water stands in my cockpit and on the forward end of the cockpit seats. I don't have anything at all in the bow except a generally empty waste tank and a spinnaker. I do have heavy ground tackle, but the rode is mostly line. In fact I have probably more weight toward the stern than original with propane tanks, fuel tanks and a rather large bimini.
Has anyone noticed a trim problem with the h-30? Water stands in my cockpit and on the forward end of the cockpit seats. I don't have anything at all in the bow except a generally empty waste tank and a spinnaker. I do have heavy ground tackle, but the rode is mostly line. In fact I have probably more weight toward the stern than original with propane tanks, fuel tanks and a rather large bimini.
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