The HR under sail question

Pilot2

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Jan 26, 2018
4
Hallberg Rassy 35 Miami
One review article of the HR 35 says:

"...and the Rasmus 35 is no different. Due to her narrow beam she rolls a little more than most and she suffers from excessive leeway drift when sailing to windward due to her short 4′ 3″ keel – particularly beyond 15 degrees of heel. Owners report that better progress can be made by sailing faster and flatter to the wind, throwing in tacks through 110 degrees than to go too close-winded..."

Is that correct or...
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,992
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The combination of length 34.6 feet, beam 10ft, keel 4.3ft, and 5000lb of iron ballast will give you the sailing character you discovered.
This is not a racer. Trying to sail to windward (tacking at 36-45 degrees to the wind direction) will be difficult. So keeping her flat, reefing early, and a sailing angle of 55-60 into the wind will be comfortable. Put her on a reach 110-160 off the wind and you will be in her world. It will be fun for such a classic boat. She was made to cross oceans and to venture into shallow anchorages treating her owner to many sights bigger and deeper draft boats dare not wander.
 

Pilot2

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Jan 26, 2018
4
Hallberg Rassy 35 Miami
Jssailem, Wow, I have only been in the forum a few minutes and already received two great pieces of wisdom...one of which was yours! Thank you.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
That all makes sense. Most if not all shoal keeled boats slip heavily to leeward when put into point mode. Most owners don't see it, because they focus on the angle they tacked through (say 90), not realizing that they are slipping sideways another 10 while going slow. It often better to foot off, go faster, and not slip nearly as much.
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
110 degrees is not as bad as it sounds once you add on drift and difference between true wind and apparent wind.

Lets say you are sailing in 14 knots true wind with 40 degree apparent wind angle at 5.5 knots. The true wind angle would be about 55 degrees. Add on 5 degrees of drift (and that may be generous) on each tack and you got 120 tack angle. 110 is about right for a typical cruising boat.