I'm sitting home this weekend with my H260 in the slip because of the weather. We've had a very windy May and this weekend the forecast is for 15-25 mph winds (with gusts). My crew hates being heeled past 5 degrees and lets me know it when we exceed that angle. We are on a 22 mile by 3 mile lake. Any guesses as to how many other 260 owners would let this situation intimidate them?
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5 degrees!!
5 degrees is pretty wimpy, but if the crew doesnt like it, don't force them. I've got an older 23, and 20 mph is where things start to go from fun to work, if i'm doing it all by myself. I dont know how much different the water ballast boats are, but I would think that a boat 3' longer and nearly double the weight of mine should be suited for for the low 20's with 2-3 people on board?
5 degrees is pretty wimpy, but if the crew doesnt like it, don't force them. I've got an older 23, and 20 mph is where things start to go from fun to work, if i'm doing it all by myself. I dont know how much different the water ballast boats are, but I would think that a boat 3' longer and nearly double the weight of mine should be suited for for the low 20's with 2-3 people on board?
My crew has a similar attitude
Last time we were out, I rolled out about 1/3 of the jib, no main. The boat went pretty fast, condidering the small amount of sail, and the crew sipped their wine (wife) and juice (daughter), steered, snacked, and came back with a smile.
Last time we were out, I rolled out about 1/3 of the jib, no main. The boat went pretty fast, condidering the small amount of sail, and the crew sipped their wine (wife) and juice (daughter), steered, snacked, and came back with a smile.
!0-15 degrees is when the fun begins....
..with 15-20 knott winds. Your crew is missing out on alot of fun. Now I have an H36, but I also have a Capri 16...so let the good times roll get off your rear at home and go sailing. abe
..with 15-20 knott winds. Your crew is missing out on alot of fun. Now I have an H36, but I also have a Capri 16...so let the good times roll get off your rear at home and go sailing. abe
Just the jib?
I dont have any luck with just the jib..I can't point at ALL (at least in lighter air) it just falls off, no matter how much rudder i give her.
I dont have any luck with just the jib..I can't point at ALL (at least in lighter air) it just falls off, no matter how much rudder i give her.
My H26 steers OK
with just the jib, even in light air. We don't try to squeeze her too tight to windward, but she goes pretty close. After reading posts on this list, I put my rudder as far forward as possible and lock it with the wing/pivot nut. I have noticed that sometimes the boat will fall off rather than point up into the wind if I let go of the tiller. Gotta pay attention if you sail outside the box. Of course she sails and points better with the main up. Just jib is for stronger breeze or relaxing no destination afternoons.
with just the jib, even in light air. We don't try to squeeze her too tight to windward, but she goes pretty close. After reading posts on this list, I put my rudder as far forward as possible and lock it with the wing/pivot nut. I have noticed that sometimes the boat will fall off rather than point up into the wind if I let go of the tiller. Gotta pay attention if you sail outside the box. Of course she sails and points better with the main up. Just jib is for stronger breeze or relaxing no destination afternoons.
tough with a skiddish crew
My wife and son do not care for anything over 15 degrees on our H26. I found that by either reefing the main with no jib or a 1/2 rolled jib only makes for a smoother more comfortable ride for them and much easier control for me when it blows 15-20 or better. I actually prefer to head out with a 150 jib only. I'm generally to lazy to hoist the main. When winds are light and the boat feels under powered Then will I hoist the sheet. The H26 is tender at times but can handle well if you know her sweet spots.
My wife and son do not care for anything over 15 degrees on our H26. I found that by either reefing the main with no jib or a 1/2 rolled jib only makes for a smoother more comfortable ride for them and much easier control for me when it blows 15-20 or better. I actually prefer to head out with a 150 jib only. I'm generally to lazy to hoist the main. When winds are light and the boat feels under powered Then will I hoist the sheet. The H26 is tender at times but can handle well if you know her sweet spots.
I wouldn't say intimidate...
If your guests are uncomfortable then you are not a very good host. The Admiral isn't happy if we heel excessively and most of the guests we take out are not sailors, so I tend to keep my H26 from heeling a lot. But, sometimes we get a nice gust and I warn her ahead of time. She finds that standing on the top cabin step and holding on both sides of the hatch is more comfortable and she doesn't feel the heel as much. Have her try this. But still, the key is, that I like her company alot and if I am making her uncomfortable why would she come out with me? If I am with sailors only, then we go full bore! Discretion is the better part of valor. I am also a pilot and I always use the John Kennedy Jr. example. If your gut is telling you that there might be a problem then there is! Why risk someone getting hurt or scared? This is about enjoyment after all. We spent an hour Thursday setting up the boat and in that hour the winds went from 10-15 to a steady 35 with gusts of 45! We helped a few small boats returning to the pier and with the winds blowing straight in, the waves were two feet. We were lucky no one got hurt and some of the boats got damaged striking the pier. We went home. The Admiral said it was good mast raising practice. I like her style! John
If your guests are uncomfortable then you are not a very good host. The Admiral isn't happy if we heel excessively and most of the guests we take out are not sailors, so I tend to keep my H26 from heeling a lot. But, sometimes we get a nice gust and I warn her ahead of time. She finds that standing on the top cabin step and holding on both sides of the hatch is more comfortable and she doesn't feel the heel as much. Have her try this. But still, the key is, that I like her company alot and if I am making her uncomfortable why would she come out with me? If I am with sailors only, then we go full bore! Discretion is the better part of valor. I am also a pilot and I always use the John Kennedy Jr. example. If your gut is telling you that there might be a problem then there is! Why risk someone getting hurt or scared? This is about enjoyment after all. We spent an hour Thursday setting up the boat and in that hour the winds went from 10-15 to a steady 35 with gusts of 45! We helped a few small boats returning to the pier and with the winds blowing straight in, the waves were two feet. We were lucky no one got hurt and some of the boats got damaged striking the pier. We went home. The Admiral said it was good mast raising practice. I like her style! John
Kick Back Enjoy The Wine
If your crew isn't enjoying the day sit at the dock and enjoy some wine. My limit is about 4 ft waves and 25 kts in a 23.5 which is a bit of work. The admiral is a bit more conservative at 10 deg heel, 2ft waves and 12 kts. If you want to keep the crew, keep the crew happy.
If your crew isn't enjoying the day sit at the dock and enjoy some wine. My limit is about 4 ft waves and 25 kts in a 23.5 which is a bit of work. The admiral is a bit more conservative at 10 deg heel, 2ft waves and 12 kts. If you want to keep the crew, keep the crew happy.
Thanks for the responses, gang
I appreciate all the responses. John, you mentioned standing on the top step. I've told my wife to sit on the high side in the cabin (where she always rides) and she won't feel the heel. All I can say is it's tough to make my point. I've noticed that I don't feel the heel at all if somebody else takes the helm (wheel steering). My daughter gets nervous at the wheel when I let out more jib. It feels a lot more tender when at the helm. I was exaggerating a little when I said 5 degrees. That was when my wife started sailing. Now I don't hear about it until we get close to 15 degrees or better. We'll probably get past that point as well. Time will tell. Having her enjoy the experience is important also.
I appreciate all the responses. John, you mentioned standing on the top step. I've told my wife to sit on the high side in the cabin (where she always rides) and she won't feel the heel. All I can say is it's tough to make my point. I've noticed that I don't feel the heel at all if somebody else takes the helm (wheel steering). My daughter gets nervous at the wheel when I let out more jib. It feels a lot more tender when at the helm. I was exaggerating a little when I said 5 degrees. That was when my wife started sailing. Now I don't hear about it until we get close to 15 degrees or better. We'll probably get past that point as well. Time will tell. Having her enjoy the experience is important also.
Explain to your crew that the boat can
safely withstand the conditions prompted by 25 knot winds. Repeate the statement often so it becomes ingrained in their mind then ease them into it gradually. Start by taking them out when winds are 15 knots and show them what you have been saying about the boat and show them that you are in control and know what to do. Them h260s are somewhat tender so heavy gusts can give an inexperienced crew the impression the boat is going to lay down. Fear is a safety mechanism, you can offset it by knowledge and confidence. Respect for it should be maintained as total loss of fear will probably bring dire consequences. Know the boat and conditions and when the air is heavy or gusty, reef early and reef deep. You will control weather helm and the degree of heel with little loss of speed. Know the limits of the boat and when the conditions are close to the limit just stay in port. Always think worst case scenario, that the weather will deteriorate rather than improve. I don't like to unnecessarily put to much stress on the rigging having experienced failures in the past so I will go out in heavy air but reef early. According to conditions I may reef before leaving the dock as it is easier to shake a reef than to set one.
safely withstand the conditions prompted by 25 knot winds. Repeate the statement often so it becomes ingrained in their mind then ease them into it gradually. Start by taking them out when winds are 15 knots and show them what you have been saying about the boat and show them that you are in control and know what to do. Them h260s are somewhat tender so heavy gusts can give an inexperienced crew the impression the boat is going to lay down. Fear is a safety mechanism, you can offset it by knowledge and confidence. Respect for it should be maintained as total loss of fear will probably bring dire consequences. Know the boat and conditions and when the air is heavy or gusty, reef early and reef deep. You will control weather helm and the degree of heel with little loss of speed. Know the limits of the boat and when the conditions are close to the limit just stay in port. Always think worst case scenario, that the weather will deteriorate rather than improve. I don't like to unnecessarily put to much stress on the rigging having experienced failures in the past so I will go out in heavy air but reef early. According to conditions I may reef before leaving the dock as it is easier to shake a reef than to set one.
Just came back from 100mi coastal run in our 260
Benny's got it pegged. The boat sails fine but it's supposed to be fun for the guests and new crew so be conservative with the sail size. Many new sailors only see a windy day and don't accuratly estimate its strength, leading to a bad day. The 260 has huge roach in the main for light air but it's quickly over powered by about 12-15kts upwind. Kelli and I caught a great 15-20kt sea breeze off the rear quarter yesterday returning to Sarasota from Tampa and used the whole main and jib running off the wind with the center board up. It was a great, stable ride at max hull speed. But, if I'd been heading upwind instead I'd have had to reef the main and peel in some of the jib to sail efficiently and limit heel to less than 20 degrees. A 100mi weekend sail is a pretty average weekend trip for us and you'll get more comfortable with time as will your crew. That 260 is a great trailerable boat if she's set up right. Have fun, be safe, keep her maintained and sail alot. Aloha, Michael and Kelli 2004 H260 s/v Easy Goin' Sarasota, Fl
Benny's got it pegged. The boat sails fine but it's supposed to be fun for the guests and new crew so be conservative with the sail size. Many new sailors only see a windy day and don't accuratly estimate its strength, leading to a bad day. The 260 has huge roach in the main for light air but it's quickly over powered by about 12-15kts upwind. Kelli and I caught a great 15-20kt sea breeze off the rear quarter yesterday returning to Sarasota from Tampa and used the whole main and jib running off the wind with the center board up. It was a great, stable ride at max hull speed. But, if I'd been heading upwind instead I'd have had to reef the main and peel in some of the jib to sail efficiently and limit heel to less than 20 degrees. A 100mi weekend sail is a pretty average weekend trip for us and you'll get more comfortable with time as will your crew. That 260 is a great trailerable boat if she's set up right. Have fun, be safe, keep her maintained and sail alot. Aloha, Michael and Kelli 2004 H260 s/v Easy Goin' Sarasota, Fl
Breeze 15 - 25
Are you mad!
Your looking at BEAUTIFUL sailing conditions. Reef your main and flatten it out to depower. Twist off the top in puffs and play the traveler. Move the genoa cars aft to twist off the top of the genny and the boat will feel lively and under control. Your passengers will feel your trepidation if you don't act confidently and in control. 5 degrees of heel is called motoring not sailing. Try taking the boat out without the land lubbers until you gain confidence in your own skills. That will make a world of difference to your guests.
Are you mad!
Your looking at BEAUTIFUL sailing conditions. Reef your main and flatten it out to depower. Twist off the top in puffs and play the traveler. Move the genoa cars aft to twist off the top of the genny and the boat will feel lively and under control. Your passengers will feel your trepidation if you don't act confidently and in control. 5 degrees of heel is called motoring not sailing. Try taking the boat out without the land lubbers until you gain confidence in your own skills. That will make a world of difference to your guests.inclinometer
I have an inclinometer on my boat that shows angle of heel but I don't need it. I have a good idea how much I'm healing by how loud the crew is objecting. It pretty clear when I'm getting close to the edge of the comfort zone.
I have an inclinometer on my boat that shows angle of heel but I don't need it. I have a good idea how much I'm healing by how loud the crew is objecting. It pretty clear when I'm getting close to the edge of the comfort zone.
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