Sailing Lake Erie,looking for trimming tips. I have 100 and 150 jib. I haven't tried the 150 on the roller fuller. I've put the first reef in at 12 knots. I've lowered the travler and loosened the vang. I'm trying to control the heal to keep the crew (wife and daughter first year sailing)happy. Don't take them out when it's over 10 knots. Thanks in advance
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trim
Ensure that your traveler is more to windward than dead center or leeward. This puts a "twist" in the main which helps to spill wind lower out the top of the main, even in a puff. I've seen other H28.5 owners that tightened everything to be flat sail - but still have their trav center to leeward and their toerails are almost in the water. Play with the position of the trav - placing it more to the windward side - you should find the trim more forgiving. Jim McCue
Ensure that your traveler is more to windward than dead center or leeward. This puts a "twist" in the main which helps to spill wind lower out the top of the main, even in a puff. I've seen other H28.5 owners that tightened everything to be flat sail - but still have their trav center to leeward and their toerails are almost in the water. Play with the position of the trav - placing it more to the windward side - you should find the trim more forgiving. Jim McCue
heel angle
Altough heeling makes some people nervous, it is a normal and necessary thing. The boat is designed for maximum performance with between 15-18 deg. heel, I'm guessing. What you want to reduce is excessive heel. The 28.5 (in my experience as a former owner) has a tendency to heel over to about 15 degrees quite quickly, but is quite stable after that. You would really have to do something stupid to knock her down. As the boat heels over, the sails (and hull) become less efficient--air will spill out of the sails, and the force required to lift the keel higher becomes greater. However, explaining this probably won't make your crew feel better. Try letting her take the helm and you trim the sails for a flat ride. BTW, I wouldn't recommend using your 150% if your wife and daughter are already nervous, because you'll just end up reefing, and then you migh as well have the 100% on. Although the 28.5 will sail very nicely with the 150%, it would probably just compound the problem at this point.
Altough heeling makes some people nervous, it is a normal and necessary thing. The boat is designed for maximum performance with between 15-18 deg. heel, I'm guessing. What you want to reduce is excessive heel. The 28.5 (in my experience as a former owner) has a tendency to heel over to about 15 degrees quite quickly, but is quite stable after that. You would really have to do something stupid to knock her down. As the boat heels over, the sails (and hull) become less efficient--air will spill out of the sails, and the force required to lift the keel higher becomes greater. However, explaining this probably won't make your crew feel better. Try letting her take the helm and you trim the sails for a flat ride. BTW, I wouldn't recommend using your 150% if your wife and daughter are already nervous, because you'll just end up reefing, and then you migh as well have the 100% on. Although the 28.5 will sail very nicely with the 150%, it would probably just compound the problem at this point.
Don't stay home Mike.
We sail in the same winds, me from Huron. But 15-20 knots is a lot of fun IF it is not a Northerly. Even North winds are not too bad if they are warm and you catch them on day one or two. And you will learn to sail flat in 20 knots. But if the wind has had a few days to build from Canada then I too stay home. Even North winds are needed once in awhile though, brings back our water!
We sail in the same winds, me from Huron. But 15-20 knots is a lot of fun IF it is not a Northerly. Even North winds are not too bad if they are warm and you catch them on day one or two. And you will learn to sail flat in 20 knots. But if the wind has had a few days to build from Canada then I too stay home. Even North winds are needed once in awhile though, brings back our water!
Been there....
My wife and baby girl started out with me on our 33.5 a few years ago. We had the same issue with heel. We all know that we are not going over but it feels like it sometimes, just like it feels as if the roller coaster car is going to go right off that edge. That is part of the fun of sailing (although I hate carnival rides). It just takes time and experience. Keep those sails flat to keep draft forward. As the draft moves back, you will heel more. Keep haylards tight and put some tension on backstay (if you have adjustable). Once this is done, try to sail with wind aft of the beam when possible to reduce heel and when sailing on the wind pinch her up close to reduce heel (albeit retard your performance). After a season or two they will be loving it as much as you and will get a kick out of guest's aprehension. My wife doesn't even notice heel under 30 degrees anymore. you are doing the right thing, make it fun and grow into it. Doug
My wife and baby girl started out with me on our 33.5 a few years ago. We had the same issue with heel. We all know that we are not going over but it feels like it sometimes, just like it feels as if the roller coaster car is going to go right off that edge. That is part of the fun of sailing (although I hate carnival rides). It just takes time and experience. Keep those sails flat to keep draft forward. As the draft moves back, you will heel more. Keep haylards tight and put some tension on backstay (if you have adjustable). Once this is done, try to sail with wind aft of the beam when possible to reduce heel and when sailing on the wind pinch her up close to reduce heel (albeit retard your performance). After a season or two they will be loving it as much as you and will get a kick out of guest's aprehension. My wife doesn't even notice heel under 30 degrees anymore. you are doing the right thing, make it fun and grow into it. Doug
trim II
I agree with Stephen- the 28.5 is a bit "jumpy" the first 15 degrees but after that it tightns up nicely. My wife hasn't gotten used to that fact. When it really blows (20-25) you can "surf" as close to the wind as possible. 2 other elements to consider are the placement of your jib cars. I added an extra car on the port side to avoid chafing the cabin when the #1 port car is very forward. In light winds I push 'em forward for fuller jib shape. As winds build, I drop 'em back. Secondly, If you find that your mast tilted too far forward, the helm gets very "light". Its good to rake it back some having some load on the helm. That makes the front end more responsive/controlable. Also, (having had a Prindle 18 catamaranyears ago in the ocean) if you should fall out of the boat, it has a "deadman" possibility to turn up and stall into the wind. ;< Jim McCue
I agree with Stephen- the 28.5 is a bit "jumpy" the first 15 degrees but after that it tightns up nicely. My wife hasn't gotten used to that fact. When it really blows (20-25) you can "surf" as close to the wind as possible. 2 other elements to consider are the placement of your jib cars. I added an extra car on the port side to avoid chafing the cabin when the #1 port car is very forward. In light winds I push 'em forward for fuller jib shape. As winds build, I drop 'em back. Secondly, If you find that your mast tilted too far forward, the helm gets very "light". Its good to rake it back some having some load on the helm. That makes the front end more responsive/controlable. Also, (having had a Prindle 18 catamaranyears ago in the ocean) if you should fall out of the boat, it has a "deadman" possibility to turn up and stall into the wind. ;< Jim McCue
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