Hi Don, I have been doing some racing with Sweet Mango my new H33 (fin keel, full sail) and while she is very competitive on a broad reach and downwind I can't get her to point as high as the competition and only achieve around 40 deg to the apparent wind without major loss of speed. Having on my previous boat sailed with a big genoa the Hunter rig with high roach and driving main is all new. Do you have any tips on getting Hunters to point higher and sail upwind faster. Typically winds in Moreton Bay are around 15 -20 knots Note I have had a couple of wins when the wind has been favourable, beating other new production boats of considerably larger size ie a Beneteau 42 a couple of weeks ago.
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nick, You don't say if you have in-mast furling. If you do, this is one major factor in your pointing ability. A fin keel is by far a better choice than the wing keel, but it needs to be fair and symetrical. If your genoa is a 110 or smaller you can change the sheeting angle for optimum upwind performance. The manufacturer may not put the tracks where they should be for best performance. Last, but most important, delivery sails that come with your boat are simply not made well enough for optimum performance. I would visit a good sail loft get a quote on a quality main with a maxed out roach. This will give you the best your boat is capable of doing.
Don't Try Too Hard
My first experience with a 5% overlap jib and very close sheeting was also disappointing. Accustomed to a 50% overlap genoa I cranked the jib flat. Result - no speed, partly stalled keel and poor pointing. Then I freed the jib until it regained some shape, bore off a trice, picked up speed and still sailed over the top of the others. Give it a try.
My first experience with a 5% overlap jib and very close sheeting was also disappointing. Accustomed to a 50% overlap genoa I cranked the jib flat. Result - no speed, partly stalled keel and poor pointing. Then I freed the jib until it regained some shape, bore off a trice, picked up speed and still sailed over the top of the others. Give it a try.
Donalex
With the chainplates the full width of the boat, carrying a 150+ headsail will be very hard to sheet in tight. A smaller jib will always be able to outpoint a big genoa. Of course this means having a sufficient amount of wind to justify the smaller genoa. This is clearly where a set of polars would answer the question.
With the chainplates the full width of the boat, carrying a 150+ headsail will be very hard to sheet in tight. A smaller jib will always be able to outpoint a big genoa. Of course this means having a sufficient amount of wind to justify the smaller genoa. This is clearly where a set of polars would answer the question.
No in mast Furler
Thanks Alan, I have the full roach main. In fact it has always mystified me why anyone would buy a Hunter with an in mast furler. The one USP about the Hunter rig is the ability to have the big roach and by having an in mast furling main you immediately destroy this advantage. Boom furler yes, in mast no !
Thanks Alan, I have the full roach main. In fact it has always mystified me why anyone would buy a Hunter with an in mast furler. The one USP about the Hunter rig is the ability to have the big roach and by having an in mast furling main you immediately destroy this advantage. Boom furler yes, in mast no !
Donalex
Yes that's true!! That's because the spreader base is so wide which makes for large sheeting angles and a more difficult tack. Smaller genoas are easier to handle and also are more close winded. The down side is that they are not very efficient in light air.
Yes that's true!! That's because the spreader base is so wide which makes for large sheeting angles and a more difficult tack. Smaller genoas are easier to handle and also are more close winded. The down side is that they are not very efficient in light air.
Alan
I don't want to hijack Nick's thread but all Hunters since 1996 sheet their jib inside the cap shrouds and the tracks are in about the right position. I am familiar with close sheeting small jibs as I have a H376 and was also the front man in the UK's Starboat champion boat some years ago. Now Stars DO sheet close.
I don't want to hijack Nick's thread but all Hunters since 1996 sheet their jib inside the cap shrouds and the tracks are in about the right position. I am familiar with close sheeting small jibs as I have a H376 and was also the front man in the UK's Starboat champion boat some years ago. Now Stars DO sheet close.
I just don't understand 'WHY' Hunter doesn't make polars available for their designs. It is sooo important to target boat speeds and sail selection. I realize that racing sailors will need this info more than non-racers, but polars can be vey helpful to every sailor.
Alan
They do! At least they did for my 40.5. Not sure how small they go before it's a moot point. Don
They do! At least they did for my 40.5. Not sure how small they go before it's a moot point. Don
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