What's the point of sail you enjoy the most? Is your idea of a good time pointing as high as you can, with green water crashing over the bow and the wind whistling in the rigging? Perhaps the milder reach, expermenting with you best boat speed and fine tuning the trim? Are you a fan of the gentle broad reach, with it's quiet and relative warmth in the cockpit? How about running? The glory and challenge of wing and wing, or the majesty of flying a huge spinnaker? Tell us what the point is for you, then vote in the Quick Quiz on the bottom of the home page.
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30 Degrees off the wind
I guess I'm a lazy sailor. I most enjoy sailing about thirty degrees off the wind since it seems to be my boats' best point of sail. Only with a "crew" do I go for my colorful assymetrical. Of course, if I'm trying to GET somewhere, I adjust my sails to the point of sail. I rarely tack back and forth to get where I'm going. If forced to go dead down-wind I'll fire up the dreaded iron Genny. Bill on STARGAZER
I guess I'm a lazy sailor. I most enjoy sailing about thirty degrees off the wind since it seems to be my boats' best point of sail. Only with a "crew" do I go for my colorful assymetrical. Of course, if I'm trying to GET somewhere, I adjust my sails to the point of sail. I rarely tack back and forth to get where I'm going. If forced to go dead down-wind I'll fire up the dreaded iron Genny. Bill on STARGAZER
it's the -sailing- !
When I stop and try to put the factors and 'things' into some sort of priority list I find I cannot. There is no single factor or part of sailing that really can be placed above another. When you think about it that lack of singular aspect is what sailing is all about, variety (bordering on chaos at times). You cannot simply beat out and back or reach in and out, or have certain waves constantly. Unlike the powerboat (gimme some slack on this one), nothing is static on or about a sailboat. So the question as to which thing you prefer is not only simply academic, but moot on the face of it. It's the -sailing- thats the thing, not a piece of it. ...in my opinion, of course! heh
When I stop and try to put the factors and 'things' into some sort of priority list I find I cannot. There is no single factor or part of sailing that really can be placed above another. When you think about it that lack of singular aspect is what sailing is all about, variety (bordering on chaos at times). You cannot simply beat out and back or reach in and out, or have certain waves constantly. Unlike the powerboat (gimme some slack on this one), nothing is static on or about a sailboat. So the question as to which thing you prefer is not only simply academic, but moot on the face of it. It's the -sailing- thats the thing, not a piece of it. ...in my opinion, of course! heh
just being on
i would have to say that just being on the boat ither sitting on it at the marina or at sail. as long as im on the boat im happy.
i would have to say that just being on the boat ither sitting on it at the marina or at sail. as long as im on the boat im happy.
I don't believe it is possible
Having a Hunter 380, a beam reach is incredible, often getting 7 knots out of of 12 knot breeze. However, there are 2 things in this world I don't belive can happen. One is electricity and the other is sailing 30 degrees into the wind. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader
Having a Hunter 380, a beam reach is incredible, often getting 7 knots out of of 12 knot breeze. However, there are 2 things in this world I don't belive can happen. One is electricity and the other is sailing 30 degrees into the wind. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader
30 degrees
Maybe his instruments need adjusting. Mine is off 15 degrees so on a starboard tack, it seems like a 30 degrees. My answer...I seem to do best close hauled.
Maybe his instruments need adjusting. Mine is off 15 degrees so on a starboard tack, it seems like a 30 degrees. My answer...I seem to do best close hauled.
beam reach
Without a doubt a beam reach especially in the ocean. Pointing too high against 4-6 ' waves is slow. Whenever we plan to go over a few miles we try to have a beam reach. Beating into the wind is fun if you are just daysailing and playing around but it is hard to go anywhere. I've been known to beat up narrow channels just because. Once the wind gets too far aft then steering becomes an issue. The chance of a broach increases especially in waves. the apparent wind effect lessens and the jib gets shielded by the main. But a beam reach ahhhhhhhhh!!!
Without a doubt a beam reach especially in the ocean. Pointing too high against 4-6 ' waves is slow. Whenever we plan to go over a few miles we try to have a beam reach. Beating into the wind is fun if you are just daysailing and playing around but it is hard to go anywhere. I've been known to beat up narrow channels just because. Once the wind gets too far aft then steering becomes an issue. The chance of a broach increases especially in waves. the apparent wind effect lessens and the jib gets shielded by the main. But a beam reach ahhhhhhhhh!!!
10 Knot breeze
50 - 60 degrees off the wind, sailing around four knots, calm seas, and my wife by my side, in the evening, or at or near sunset.
50 - 60 degrees off the wind, sailing around four knots, calm seas, and my wife by my side, in the evening, or at or near sunset.
Yee-Haw
I like to point as high as I can. The increase in apparant wind, the heeling and the waves coming over the bow is a blast. ;D
I like to point as high as I can. The increase in apparant wind, the heeling and the waves coming over the bow is a blast. ;D
Second
I couldn't have said it better. One more item; If you are cruising, about a beam reach is the best living conditions. I have been thrown through the door to the head when close-hauled. Five to ten degrees is nice living, giving a little breeze through the boat that helps when the sea temperature rises through 85F. Following winds are usually too warm for me.
I couldn't have said it better. One more item; If you are cruising, about a beam reach is the best living conditions. I have been thrown through the door to the head when close-hauled. Five to ten degrees is nice living, giving a little breeze through the boat that helps when the sea temperature rises through 85F. Following winds are usually too warm for me.
What about wind speed?
I like to sail close hauled when the wind and sea make it pleasant. As the wind and sea pick up and start to bring on the misery I bear off and prolong the enjoyment. Of course beam reaching with a flat boat and big sails on a nice day is always exciting.
I like to sail close hauled when the wind and sea make it pleasant. As the wind and sea pick up and start to bring on the misery I bear off and prolong the enjoyment. Of course beam reaching with a flat boat and big sails on a nice day is always exciting.
Close, close and closer 
This one is easy. The closer the better. Eeking out that last little bit of speed, while listening to the ever present hum. But even that has one thing that makes it better. Being on the sun tack, feeling the wind and sun are on your face.
This one is easy. The closer the better. Eeking out that last little bit of speed, while listening to the ever present hum. But even that has one thing that makes it better. Being on the sun tack, feeling the wind and sun are on your face.
Two possibilities.
Depends on my mood...broad reach is nice but a run is lovely in the afternoon as I lie on my back on the cockpit seat, head resting on a boat cushion, cold beer in hand, sun beating down on my bare chest, big toe on the wheel making small course corrections, and listening to Jimmy Buffet sing about the brown-eyed girl.
Depends on my mood...broad reach is nice but a run is lovely in the afternoon as I lie on my back on the cockpit seat, head resting on a boat cushion, cold beer in hand, sun beating down on my bare chest, big toe on the wheel making small course corrections, and listening to Jimmy Buffet sing about the brown-eyed girl.
So many points, so little time
Sailing...on every point of the wind. That's the end game. But having just returned from 8 days plying the waters of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, it's going to be disappointing not to have 12-15 knots of steadily blowing warm wind every day.
Sailing...on every point of the wind. That's the end game. But having just returned from 8 days plying the waters of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, it's going to be disappointing not to have 12-15 knots of steadily blowing warm wind every day.
The point of sail for me
I sail for two main reasons. First, so much of my life is driven by stress and regulations that sailing is a release release that gets down to the basics of wind, water, weather and the ability to combine those forces with a basic skill of making a boat move. My second reason is the the aloneness. In that I have learned to appreciate the company of myself.
I sail for two main reasons. First, so much of my life is driven by stress and regulations that sailing is a release release that gets down to the basics of wind, water, weather and the ability to combine those forces with a basic skill of making a boat move. My second reason is the the aloneness. In that I have learned to appreciate the company of myself.
Reaching
For cruising, this is the real way to cover ground with some comfort, and lots of excitement. And it is definitely the best point of sail for our shoal draft '77 h27 with the genny sheeted to the toerail. Also, we get to use our asymetric in light to medium air reaching, and that is both pretty, and fun. Finally, reaching is when I can get a Sunfish up on a plane when we visit the Islands of the St. Lawrence. When I was racing, beating to windward was the most exciting, calling the wind, and using strategy and tactics to pull ahead. But we don't race Lady Lillie, and I loved the speed of reaching even in my racing days. (I once sailed our Sunfish on a screaming, planing reach in 40+ knot winds north of Sigsbee Park in Key West - one of the thrills of a lifetime.) David Lady Lillie
For cruising, this is the real way to cover ground with some comfort, and lots of excitement. And it is definitely the best point of sail for our shoal draft '77 h27 with the genny sheeted to the toerail. Also, we get to use our asymetric in light to medium air reaching, and that is both pretty, and fun. Finally, reaching is when I can get a Sunfish up on a plane when we visit the Islands of the St. Lawrence. When I was racing, beating to windward was the most exciting, calling the wind, and using strategy and tactics to pull ahead. But we don't race Lady Lillie, and I loved the speed of reaching even in my racing days. (I once sailed our Sunfish on a screaming, planing reach in 40+ knot winds north of Sigsbee Park in Key West - one of the thrills of a lifetime.) David Lady Lillie
Virgin
first time out on a sailing boat; beam reach and trimming for the most speed... no going back I am HOOKED! (My teacher/sailing companion bought me a shirt with "7.5kts" embroidered on it)
first time out on a sailing boat; beam reach and trimming for the most speed... no going back I am HOOKED! (My teacher/sailing companion bought me a shirt with "7.5kts" embroidered on it)
Close Reach
I prefer close reaching and pointing as there is less trimming required when tacking and coming about. Most of my sailing is cruising with no particular place to go. Most of my "crew" have little or no experience sailing, so the less sail trimming, the more enjoyable on my O'Day 26. If the wind is constant from the same general direction, I like to break out the whisker pole for a long downwind run. But someone else has to steer while I set the pole and remove the pole for stowage.
I prefer close reaching and pointing as there is less trimming required when tacking and coming about. Most of my sailing is cruising with no particular place to go. Most of my "crew" have little or no experience sailing, so the less sail trimming, the more enjoyable on my O'Day 26. If the wind is constant from the same general direction, I like to break out the whisker pole for a long downwind run. But someone else has to steer while I set the pole and remove the pole for stowage.
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