Ups and downs.

[jho11381]

I'm trying to really find out the limitations of a Catalina 22 with a swing keel. Sometimes I feel as if we're going to capsize. Is it posable to capsize a C22 in strong winds on somewhat flat water. I feel as if I'm not letting the boat show her full potential. What are the limitations of a Catalina 22 swing keel?

 

[Stu Jackson]

There was a question earlier this week just like this. Really. Our experience has been that the boat will round up, but you really have to have the right sails up for high winds. If you only have one jib, move the jib fairlead aft to open up the top of the sail and reef the main.

 

[sailingandsuch]

I personally have not sailed on a Catalina 22. But I think it is nearly impossible to capsize it on flat water unless you really try to, even then Im not sure you could unless it was some crazy wind.

It sounds to me like you need to reef a little earlier than you are.

Letting the boat show her full potential, I assume you are talking about speed? Not how far it will heel over without capsizing. If this is so, then to get the most speed, you need to reef and not let the boat heel as much. Heel does not equal speed. Proper reefing and sail trim equals speed.

Get a GPS and watch your speed as you heel over, the boat will probably slow down. The reason for this is because when your mast lays over your sail are not catching as much wind.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The reason for this is because when your mast lays over your sail are not catching as much wind.

Good point. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. The further over you go, the less sail area is exposed to the wind. As the boat heels, the hull shape makes it round up.

Unless you have too much sail up and you're holding the mainsheet in way too tight..

We've had water over the coamings.

Skipper's fault.

That'd be me.