My friend has a Hunter 306,(2002). Recently he has sailed in 15 to 20 knot winds. He states that he has had times when the boat would not tack in these wind conditions. It instead stalls before getting through the wind. Releasing the Genoa was tried but the same result occurred. I believe he had one reef in the main the last time and 2 reefs in the time before that. Has anyone experienced the same problem?? Thanks-Pete ps.he has in mast furling and shoal draft keel.
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Mike Putegnat
its a power thing
In heavy winds, like 22 kts and up, when you have the main reefed, and especially if you are sailing without the jib, the wind on the freeboard of the boat will fight the lowered powered sail. Likely, you are making fewer than 3kts forward speed at the time. Trick is to make sure you have enough speed to overcome the wind resistance on the hull and to tack sharply. Hope this guess helps.
In heavy winds, like 22 kts and up, when you have the main reefed, and especially if you are sailing without the jib, the wind on the freeboard of the boat will fight the lowered powered sail. Likely, you are making fewer than 3kts forward speed at the time. Trick is to make sure you have enough speed to overcome the wind resistance on the hull and to tack sharply. Hope this guess helps.
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Roland
Tacking
In addition to not enough boat speed, your friend may be releasing the jib sheet too soon. If I find I have to fight the wind to come about, I haul in the jib and main as the boat gets closer to the wind in order to maintain boat speed. As the bow starts to come through the wind, I keep the jib back winded to allow the wind to push the bow through. As soon as the bow is through I release the windard sheet and haul in the lee sheet. This also saves your jib from taking a beating every time you come about. Hope this helps. Roland s/v Fraulein II
In addition to not enough boat speed, your friend may be releasing the jib sheet too soon. If I find I have to fight the wind to come about, I haul in the jib and main as the boat gets closer to the wind in order to maintain boat speed. As the bow starts to come through the wind, I keep the jib back winded to allow the wind to push the bow through. As soon as the bow is through I release the windard sheet and haul in the lee sheet. This also saves your jib from taking a beating every time you come about. Hope this helps. Roland s/v Fraulein II
Too tight?
Pete: I think that most sailors over tighten their sail most of the time (me included). If you friend tries to loosen his main sheets he/she should pick up some speed. When they tack they will have better forward speed. I would suggest that your friend get one of Don G's books and sail guide.
Pete: I think that most sailors over tighten their sail most of the time (me included). If you friend tries to loosen his main sheets he/she should pick up some speed. When they tack they will have better forward speed. I would suggest that your friend get one of Don G's books and sail guide.
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Rob Anderson
Sounds strange to me..............
I have a 2002 306 with classic (not roller ....but don't think it matters) mainsail and shallow keel ...and I have NEVER experienced this problem in 15 - 20 knot winds ...my boat loves that range and performs like a race car. Sounds like you and your friend might need some review of sailing technique. I don't understand the comment about trying to release the jib .....the jib HAS to be released during the tack ....releasing it too early would only slow the boat down and make the tack more difficult ....... and with roller furling main you would not quantify reefs by one or two .........roller furling allows infinite/continuous reef points.I think your friend was reefed too much .......and maybe turned the wheel too slowly .....before tacking you need to be sure the boat has headway, then you need to do it decisively. I usually don't think about reefing my classic main until 17-20 knots (unless I get protest from my wife !) ......you say your friend was reefed at 15-20 ........I think the boat did not have enough power (speed) to maintain headway through the tack. That coupled with the tacking techniques mentioned in the previous responses ....ought to do the trick. My wife and I have taken several ASA sailing courses and found them a great help even though I grew up sailing. I think they (or similar) could be a great help to you and your friend ..........why wasn't he the author of this forum entry anyway .......he's the skipper!? Good luck to you both!
I have a 2002 306 with classic (not roller ....but don't think it matters) mainsail and shallow keel ...and I have NEVER experienced this problem in 15 - 20 knot winds ...my boat loves that range and performs like a race car. Sounds like you and your friend might need some review of sailing technique. I don't understand the comment about trying to release the jib .....the jib HAS to be released during the tack ....releasing it too early would only slow the boat down and make the tack more difficult ....... and with roller furling main you would not quantify reefs by one or two .........roller furling allows infinite/continuous reef points.I think your friend was reefed too much .......and maybe turned the wheel too slowly .....before tacking you need to be sure the boat has headway, then you need to do it decisively. I usually don't think about reefing my classic main until 17-20 knots (unless I get protest from my wife !) ......you say your friend was reefed at 15-20 ........I think the boat did not have enough power (speed) to maintain headway through the tack. That coupled with the tacking techniques mentioned in the previous responses ....ought to do the trick. My wife and I have taken several ASA sailing courses and found them a great help even though I grew up sailing. I think they (or similar) could be a great help to you and your friend ..........why wasn't he the author of this forum entry anyway .......he's the skipper!? Good luck to you both!
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Mark
You've got it Roland
A lot of sailers throw off their jib sheet too early. Leave it on. The worst thing that can happen is you end up backing the sail but with a yacht that size its no problem to winch it in!
A lot of sailers throw off their jib sheet too early. Leave it on. The worst thing that can happen is you end up backing the sail but with a yacht that size its no problem to winch it in!
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pete
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