Hi, My question pertains to tacking in strong winds (12-18 kts). We previous owned a MacGregor 25 water ballasted and we could do no wrong. Sailed in heavy winds (12-18 kts) and had a blast! We purchased an older 1984 MacGregor 25, not a water ballasted boat, and in heavy winds (12-18 Kts, -what I would consider heavy) we can't seem to get her tacked and around, will bleed off even when we have speed to get through the tack and will lay way over and barely move. Sometimes end up jibing when we really don't want to! She'll lay down on her side before turning into the wind. We've tried doing different things with our sails such as reefing the main and only sailing with the main, having the main very flat. Tried bringing in the jib so it's not so large an area if we try to use it too. We used to have fun sailing, had a Windrose 18 and the water ballasted MacGregor 25, and a Montgomery 15, and never really spooked ourselves. This current boat is a challenge. Any thoughts on how we can correct our problem? A friend who sails a Catalina 22 at the lake mentioned that the rudder is too small. I'm thinking that we are also sailing in to strong of wind for this particular model.Thank you! Jill ( I hope I am using proper terms, still learning)
Tacking in heavy winds
- Thread starter jabaker62
- Start date
Your Mac 25 is a swing keel design. Did you have the keel down all the way?
He is a short video of my 25 in 15+ winds. There should be no problem, so something must be "wrong" on your boat???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8IwdjN0WI
He is a short video of my 25 in 15+ winds. There should be no problem, so something must be "wrong" on your boat???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8IwdjN0WI
Before the tack, when sailing close-hauled: Is your helm neutral (tiller mostly midships)?
If not, your sailplan is out of balance and tacking will be hard. If this is the case I'm guessing you have big lee helm, and you are pushing the tiller to keep the nose up. Tacking can be very hard in this case.
If not, your sailplan is out of balance and tacking will be hard. If this is the case I'm guessing you have big lee helm, and you are pushing the tiller to keep the nose up. Tacking can be very hard in this case.
Not trying to offend but if you're unfamiliar with the swing keel you might not know this. If you don't remove the lockdown bolt the keel will stop as soon as it hits it and not be all the way down. To put the keel down all the way you need to remove the lockdown bolt, lower the keel, then replace the lockdown bolt through the hole in the keel. You may need to adjust the keel up or down a bit to line up the hole but it should make a big difference in performance.
Had the same problem (still do sometimes in heavy waves). The key is to have a LOT of speed, and do NOT release the jibsheet before cross the wind line. This is completely counterintuitive to me (you suppose to realease jib sheet first), but works. If you keep jibsheet cleated in until you cross the win line, the jib will help swing the bow across. I found it out on this forum, BTW. So, right before tacking fall off at least 20 degrees, build your speed up, and then turn to wind and DO NOTHING with the sails untill you are sure you changed tack. It may still take you 2 or 3 tries in heavy seas...
I had the same issue when I first started out. The boat is so light it would stall. All in the head sail. Keep it cleated until past the center line. It actually pulls the boat around. The reefed main definitely helps in that kind of wind.
Looked great Cuscus! I love the keel hum. Going to do some humming this weekend. Buzzards bay and Vineyard Sound with the guys. Check the FB posts!!
Happy Sailing!!
Ken B
CMDRE - NETS
Looked great Cuscus! I love the keel hum. Going to do some humming this weekend. Buzzards bay and Vineyard Sound with the guys. Check the FB posts!!
Happy Sailing!!
Ken B
CMDRE - NETS
I believe that hauling in on the jib while tacking will actually work against you. I usually tell my crew to hold the jib sheet position until the jib back winds for one or two seconds, release, and then haul in on the other side.
I presume you have your jib hoisted. Attempting to tack without the jib is near impossible on those boats.
Having the keel all the way down is also important.
I presume you have your jib hoisted. Attempting to tack without the jib is near impossible on those boats.
Having the keel all the way down is also important.
if you ever sailed a Hobie cat, (prindle, etc), this was super critical to tacking.
2 things I would suggest first ensure that the mast is raked backed, at least 10" from 90 degrees, second back wind the jib on tacks, don't release the jib until it fills after the bow has pass the eye of the wind.
for the record, macgregor never made a water ballasted 25... the 25's all have iron swing keels.
the different models of the 26 all use water ballast...
10 inches is a lot... I have a balanced helm at about 4" and ive sailed it in some extreme conditions.
to the OP.. the 625lb keel has to be down to even be safe in strong winds and then its just a matter of speed and technique... but nothing special unless the rig is so unbalanced as to make it difficult to sail.
the 25 with its weighted keel should initially stand up better than the water ballasted boat, as the water ballast effect gets more dramatic as the boat heels more.
but either boat is a simple, easy to sail and forgiving vessel...
I raked the TOP of my mast by tyightening my backstay but NOT releasing by forestay. It work like a charm. BTW, my 14-year old nephew from Arizona tried tacking yesterday in 4 knot winds with 1 foot waves and could not. we had to try it 3 times.
Piotr, that is not raking the mast, it is bending it. Which flaatens out the center of the main. A useful thing when winds are too much and you want to depower. Having the backstay "tight" like that all the time will hurt your lighter wind performance., that is what adjustable backstays are for.
If winds are too high for a tack then just roll under. Release and reset the sails as you roll through. I have sailed a 26' Clipper Marine in 50 mph winds and actually had fun! We came within a few mph of planing as bow wake was under the cockpit! Used main with storm sail and winds blew all the other sailboats off the water! Chief