This weekend, my local harbor held its annual singlehand race. The wind was blowing between 15-25 mph. After prepping my 1987 H23 and sailing around for about an hour prior to the start, I decided to drop sails and head back in. It would have been a freat sail (with a few extra hands on the boat) but I opted for safety this time. I have single-handed her in winds up to about 15 but with winds gusting higher I started to question myself and the boat. I only had up the small working jib (100? 110?) and the standard main. I considered reefing the main but it looked to difficult to reef single-handed since I would have had to take the knob out to drop the sail to get it to the reefing cringle on the gooseneck. How much wind has othes sailed an H23 in (either with crew or single-handed)? Just interested so I can start practicing for next year.
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Davor Kusec
wind
We often get gale force winds up here in the winter. Most of my sailing is single-handed and I have been out in 25 knot winds a number of times. I double reef the main-sail and unfurl just enough of the head sail to balance the helm. I always batton down the hatches, put on wet weather gear including an inflatable PFD, have my tiller-pilot and hand-held VHF ready and always use a life line. Have fun, but be carefull. s/v Miss Brandy
We often get gale force winds up here in the winter. Most of my sailing is single-handed and I have been out in 25 knot winds a number of times. I double reef the main-sail and unfurl just enough of the head sail to balance the helm. I always batton down the hatches, put on wet weather gear including an inflatable PFD, have my tiller-pilot and hand-held VHF ready and always use a life line. Have fun, but be carefull. s/v Miss Brandy
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Jon Bastien
15-25 is OK...
I had my H23 out in 25 knots, with one other crew member, and the boat handled OK. Wouldn't recommend trying to beat to windward (that's a rough ride anyway), but reaching and running were enjoyable. The thing to remember for these boats is Reef EARLY! My 'rule of thumb' for reefing the main was, when the steady winds reach around 15 knots, it's time to reef. Even with the sail reefed, it was a pretty wild ride... As a safety concern, you should practice reefing on calm days, and be able to do it comfortably when the wind kicks up. Trying to carry too much sail for the wind conditions can be very dangerous, both for you and for your boat. I understand your concern for getting the ring down to the reefing cringle- It's not easy on this boat- but that is part of the process that should be practiced. If I were in your shoes that day, I think I would have put in the reef before I left the dock... It's much easier to shake out a reef than to tuck one in. --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
I had my H23 out in 25 knots, with one other crew member, and the boat handled OK. Wouldn't recommend trying to beat to windward (that's a rough ride anyway), but reaching and running were enjoyable. The thing to remember for these boats is Reef EARLY! My 'rule of thumb' for reefing the main was, when the steady winds reach around 15 knots, it's time to reef. Even with the sail reefed, it was a pretty wild ride... As a safety concern, you should practice reefing on calm days, and be able to do it comfortably when the wind kicks up. Trying to carry too much sail for the wind conditions can be very dangerous, both for you and for your boat. I understand your concern for getting the ring down to the reefing cringle- It's not easy on this boat- but that is part of the process that should be practiced. If I were in your shoes that day, I think I would have put in the reef before I left the dock... It's much easier to shake out a reef than to tuck one in. --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
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Frank
Lots of wind single handed
On windy days with my 23.5 water ballast boat I have been practicing with a smaller jib and a reefed main. This allows me to point higher than the main alone. My boat sails fine with just the main so my first step used to be to reef the main, then I would drop the jib. My boat seems to sail best at just over 15 degrees of heel, much more than that and I don't go any faster. For single handing you really need something to hold the tiller, like a tiller tamer. Also I recommend a jib downhaul led to the cockpit and and anchor you can set from the cockpit. Once you have these things practice single handing alot. It seems to me that I am getting a little better with each sail. Also, play with your sail controls and practise reefing and setting sails on the trailer when their is no wind.
On windy days with my 23.5 water ballast boat I have been practicing with a smaller jib and a reefed main. This allows me to point higher than the main alone. My boat sails fine with just the main so my first step used to be to reef the main, then I would drop the jib. My boat seems to sail best at just over 15 degrees of heel, much more than that and I don't go any faster. For single handing you really need something to hold the tiller, like a tiller tamer. Also I recommend a jib downhaul led to the cockpit and and anchor you can set from the cockpit. Once you have these things practice single handing alot. It seems to me that I am getting a little better with each sail. Also, play with your sail controls and practise reefing and setting sails on the trailer when their is no wind.
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David Foster
Heave to for single handed reefing
Tack without loosing the jib so that it is backwinded. Ease the mainsheet. Lash the tiller to leeward (to turn the boat into the wind.) I use end of the mainsheet, and the cleats for the jib sheets. The boat settles down nicely, and I then reef the main. If the winds are up before we head out, we will reef at the dock (if the wind is from the bow, or there are a couple of sheltered places on the way out. It's alwys easier to shake out a reef than to put one in. We also have roller furling on our 110 jib. so in 15-25, We would be sailing with one reef in the main, and the jib at 70 to 90 percent. In sustained winds over 20 knots, we put the second reef in the main. On Lake Erie, that means 4-6 foot waves, so comfort starts to go down unless the wind is offshore. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
Tack without loosing the jib so that it is backwinded. Ease the mainsheet. Lash the tiller to leeward (to turn the boat into the wind.) I use end of the mainsheet, and the cleats for the jib sheets. The boat settles down nicely, and I then reef the main. If the winds are up before we head out, we will reef at the dock (if the wind is from the bow, or there are a couple of sheltered places on the way out. It's alwys easier to shake out a reef than to put one in. We also have roller furling on our 110 jib. so in 15-25, We would be sailing with one reef in the main, and the jib at 70 to 90 percent. In sustained winds over 20 knots, we put the second reef in the main. On Lake Erie, that means 4-6 foot waves, so comfort starts to go down unless the wind is offshore. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
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Kevin
Top Wind for a H23
Joel: The archives for the H23 suggest the boat will handle well at 25 knots. I was skeptical until this summer on Lake Erie. With a crew of 2 plus helmsman we sailed in 20 knots with full main and jib and 5 foot waves. The boat exceeded all my expectations for handling. We have one reef point in our main and also sailed without jib and main reefed on a broad reach at 4.5 knot GPS in 20 knots, very smooth and stable ride between Sandusky and Put-in-Bay. We started that cruise reefed. Remember that it is alot easier to shake-out a reef then put one in. And by the time you decide to reef, it is probably too late, as the old saying goes.
Joel: The archives for the H23 suggest the boat will handle well at 25 knots. I was skeptical until this summer on Lake Erie. With a crew of 2 plus helmsman we sailed in 20 knots with full main and jib and 5 foot waves. The boat exceeded all my expectations for handling. We have one reef point in our main and also sailed without jib and main reefed on a broad reach at 4.5 knot GPS in 20 knots, very smooth and stable ride between Sandusky and Put-in-Bay. We started that cruise reefed. Remember that it is alot easier to shake-out a reef then put one in. And by the time you decide to reef, it is probably too late, as the old saying goes.
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Joel
Thanks for all your replies!
It has been a frustrating summer up here for sailing. Either there is virtually no wind ( < 10 and falling) or too much wind (last few weekends have been averaging 20 ). Another front is forecast to come through this coming weekend which will probably chop another weekend off. This is my first year sailing the H23 and I still have tons to learn. After half the season was gone, I started sailing single-handed just so I could get out there more. It's a fun boat to scamper around on but needs many chanegs if I'm going to continue to go it alone. I'm glad the former owner replaced his oriinal tiller with an overly long one. (It's almost too long when I have extra crew but is great for sailing alone.) I did think of reefing before I left the mooring but at that time, the wind was fluttering between 10-15. The forecast at the time kept dipping (until I got out into the harbor). I'll practice reefing next time I get out. I've spent a number of years crewing (racing)for others on larger boats but sailing your own boat is definately an eye-opener. As I said, this is my first year sailing the H23 and I'm still amazed at what the boat can do! I have had alot of fun this year taking some of my "bigger boat sailers" with me and watching their eyes (and minds) open up to the beauty of this boat. At least three times this summer, I've had disbelievers ("Hunters are plastic lake boats, right?") start talking about the mods we can make to race it after being out only once. Maybe in a year or two I'll take the plunge. Thanks again. j.
It has been a frustrating summer up here for sailing. Either there is virtually no wind ( < 10 and falling) or too much wind (last few weekends have been averaging 20 ). Another front is forecast to come through this coming weekend which will probably chop another weekend off. This is my first year sailing the H23 and I still have tons to learn. After half the season was gone, I started sailing single-handed just so I could get out there more. It's a fun boat to scamper around on but needs many chanegs if I'm going to continue to go it alone. I'm glad the former owner replaced his oriinal tiller with an overly long one. (It's almost too long when I have extra crew but is great for sailing alone.) I did think of reefing before I left the mooring but at that time, the wind was fluttering between 10-15. The forecast at the time kept dipping (until I got out into the harbor). I'll practice reefing next time I get out. I've spent a number of years crewing (racing)for others on larger boats but sailing your own boat is definately an eye-opener. As I said, this is my first year sailing the H23 and I'm still amazed at what the boat can do! I have had alot of fun this year taking some of my "bigger boat sailers" with me and watching their eyes (and minds) open up to the beauty of this boat. At least three times this summer, I've had disbelievers ("Hunters are plastic lake boats, right?") start talking about the mods we can make to race it after being out only once. Maybe in a year or two I'll take the plunge. Thanks again. j.
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Mike
one more thing
of course running your halyards to the cockpit is a gimme for single handing.............I single hand a lot.............but also, I reef without taking the luff slide car stop out.................just tie a line from the cringle to the ram's horn hook when you reef. I keep short lines in both my reefing cringles for just such purpose.
of course running your halyards to the cockpit is a gimme for single handing.............I single hand a lot.............but also, I reef without taking the luff slide car stop out.................just tie a line from the cringle to the ram's horn hook when you reef. I keep short lines in both my reefing cringles for just such purpose.
Boat setup is the key
I've raced my H23 singlehanded in conditions where other boats lost crew overboard. The key is setting up your boat so that you can do as possible without having to leave the cockpit. You should also consider replacing or modifying the stock traveler car (with the pin stops) so that you can adjust it from either side of the cockpit with lines. Makes all the difference in gusts. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
I've raced my H23 singlehanded in conditions where other boats lost crew overboard. The key is setting up your boat so that you can do as possible without having to leave the cockpit. You should also consider replacing or modifying the stock traveler car (with the pin stops) so that you can adjust it from either side of the cockpit with lines. Makes all the difference in gusts. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Gary Bridi
Wind -25-30 K
While I would not want to make it routine, I have been in a few on lake T storms which put up 2-3 ft waves on an inland lake - I'd estimate 25-30K winds to do this (whitecaps obviously). The key is get ready - I reed the roller head first, then the main, as a last resort, I completely furl the jib. I have only a single reef on the main, so tgere was still considerable heel, I have the cringles, but never set up the reef ties - probably should do that!
While I would not want to make it routine, I have been in a few on lake T storms which put up 2-3 ft waves on an inland lake - I'd estimate 25-30K winds to do this (whitecaps obviously). The key is get ready - I reed the roller head first, then the main, as a last resort, I completely furl the jib. I have only a single reef on the main, so tgere was still considerable heel, I have the cringles, but never set up the reef ties - probably should do that!
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Joel
Prep is the key
I went out again to practice singlehanding again this week. Before leaving the mooring, I set the main upwith one reef using the "line method" that Mike mentioned instead of pulling the slug stopper out. The wind wasn't as high this time (and I didn't really need the reef) but I figured I could practice shaking the reef out once I got out there. The day I abandoned the race, the winds were gusting between 20-25 although the average was donw closer to 15 . There were a few rollers out in the harbor (3 foot ). Add to that the wakes that the power boats were leaving made for a very interesting day. I have found that the H23 handles waves very nicely except for when they hit off one of the stern corners. Then the boat just rolls and tips very wildly. It makes for some odd sailing techniques when my family is aboard since I often need to tack frequently to ride out the wakes caused by other boaters. I have yet to figure out why some power boaters insist on steering as close to a sailboat as they can when there is plenty of room in the harbor to steer clear. (BTW, I'm not trying to stir up the power vs. sail argument. I also have a 20' powerboat and have seen some sailors doing some nasty things as well. For instance, sailing and tacking across a busy channel when there's a line of boats trying to go through it. There are times when some of the large fishing trawlers have right over the small sailboats in the channel but some don't realize it).
I went out again to practice singlehanding again this week. Before leaving the mooring, I set the main upwith one reef using the "line method" that Mike mentioned instead of pulling the slug stopper out. The wind wasn't as high this time (and I didn't really need the reef) but I figured I could practice shaking the reef out once I got out there. The day I abandoned the race, the winds were gusting between 20-25 although the average was donw closer to 15 . There were a few rollers out in the harbor (3 foot ). Add to that the wakes that the power boats were leaving made for a very interesting day. I have found that the H23 handles waves very nicely except for when they hit off one of the stern corners. Then the boat just rolls and tips very wildly. It makes for some odd sailing techniques when my family is aboard since I often need to tack frequently to ride out the wakes caused by other boaters. I have yet to figure out why some power boaters insist on steering as close to a sailboat as they can when there is plenty of room in the harbor to steer clear. (BTW, I'm not trying to stir up the power vs. sail argument. I also have a 20' powerboat and have seen some sailors doing some nasty things as well. For instance, sailing and tacking across a busy channel when there's a line of boats trying to go through it. There are times when some of the large fishing trawlers have right over the small sailboats in the channel but some don't realize it).
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