Up wind sailing

[Jack Laird]

My h27 has a roller jib and a shallow keel. It will not go up wind, great on run and reach. Sure its the shallow (3 foot) draft. Keep the boat upright to take advantage of what little keel there is? I'm sure tired of going sideways. Someone out there must club race the h27 and have figured this out, but I don't seem to have a clue. Have only had the boat for 17 years so don't have all the answers yet. My handicap is 239 but if there's any up wind work it should be 539. Any ideas will be tried except geting a new boat, kind of like the old girl after all these years.

 

[Tom M.]

Windward, think narrow sheeting

Jack, I converted my 27 footer to a scutter: maintaining a full genny, yet having a inner forestay that's removable to the shrouds, I am also looking for a Yankee cut 190 sq. ft. jib for my headsail, so that i can sheet it inside the shrouds, increasing my windward capabilities, If You're trying to race your 27, the only option using a full genny is a bow sprit, that will move your headsail fwd 3 or 4 feet, to clear the shrouds, in either case it's not easy or cheap.