Just curious, what ranges of wind speed do most of us sail in. My wife, son, and I took our 25 out last evening in the most wind we have yet encountered. I have some experience but consider myself a novice. My wife and 11 year old son are definately newbies. We headed out into 18 mph wind with gusts to 25, probably 3 foot swells. After the initial worries about being up to the task we had a good time. We did stick with just the main, however. At one point we rolled enough to clear the table onto the cabin floor which initially scared my crew but turned out to have been a good thing since we didn't go over and now their confidence in the boat (and me) is up. I do need to stow my gear better. I'm not sure why there were no other boats out, weather was clear, no storms forecast, no small craft warnings. So the question is, based on ability, what wind speeds are appropriate? 5 mph for beginners, 5 to 10 for some experience, 10-15 for .... etc? Also, what would be considered too much? I know that each of these depends on the crew experience, amount of open water, and probably at least as important, condition of the boat and gear. Just looking for some ideas. Thanks. -John
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My experience
I still consider myself a novice. We get wind like you describe often here in the great plains. For me it was first a matter of getting a feel for the boat. Now, if it gets up in the 15-20 range, I will think about reefing the main and furling the jib some. Ease the sheets or pinch in a gust. Downwind is tricky but stay on a reach intead of a run to prevent accidental jibes. I've read about using a preventer but I have never even seen one up close.
I still consider myself a novice. We get wind like you describe often here in the great plains. For me it was first a matter of getting a feel for the boat. Now, if it gets up in the 15-20 range, I will think about reefing the main and furling the jib some. Ease the sheets or pinch in a gust. Downwind is tricky but stay on a reach intead of a run to prevent accidental jibes. I've read about using a preventer but I have never even seen one up close.
Another Novice
I took my 25 out for the first time on Sunday with winds staying pretty much under 10 mph. I had many hours in a Sunfish growing up, but had not sailed in years until my wife and I went out on another boat a couple of weeks ago. We had a similar experience on their boat as you described. A t-storm started to blow up, and it got rough in a hurry. The boat heeled hard and scattered stuff in the cabin which scared the be-jeezes out of my wife. Chuck's wife got scared and that didn't help matters any either. Chuck sailed on Lake Michigan for about five years before moving here, so he's used to some rough conditions popping up. It didn't bother me as I'd been on other larger craft earlier in my life and was used to heeling my Sunfish pretty hard and sometimes letting it get knocked down on purpose when it was time to cool off. Now, I don't care to do that same excersize on my Mac! On our maiden voyage on Sunday, my buddy brought along a storm jib and we reefed the main (my "stock" Mac sail has one reef point in it, looks like sail area is reduced by 1/3) to keep my wife happy. I didn't want to go fast, just help build confidence in her. As dusk was coming and the wind got even calmer, I put up the working jib and learned a little about motor-sailing. I really could have gone to the 150 Genoa, but figured err on the side of safety. Out here in Oklahoma, 10-15 knot winds are more the rule than exception, and we went through a period last winter/spring where it seemed like we had 20-25 knot winds every day. I just plan on keeping the sails conservative until my wife feels more comfortable and I feel more proficient as a sailor.
I took my 25 out for the first time on Sunday with winds staying pretty much under 10 mph. I had many hours in a Sunfish growing up, but had not sailed in years until my wife and I went out on another boat a couple of weeks ago. We had a similar experience on their boat as you described. A t-storm started to blow up, and it got rough in a hurry. The boat heeled hard and scattered stuff in the cabin which scared the be-jeezes out of my wife. Chuck's wife got scared and that didn't help matters any either. Chuck sailed on Lake Michigan for about five years before moving here, so he's used to some rough conditions popping up. It didn't bother me as I'd been on other larger craft earlier in my life and was used to heeling my Sunfish pretty hard and sometimes letting it get knocked down on purpose when it was time to cool off. Now, I don't care to do that same excersize on my Mac! On our maiden voyage on Sunday, my buddy brought along a storm jib and we reefed the main (my "stock" Mac sail has one reef point in it, looks like sail area is reduced by 1/3) to keep my wife happy. I didn't want to go fast, just help build confidence in her. As dusk was coming and the wind got even calmer, I put up the working jib and learned a little about motor-sailing. I really could have gone to the 150 Genoa, but figured err on the side of safety. Out here in Oklahoma, 10-15 knot winds are more the rule than exception, and we went through a period last winter/spring where it seemed like we had 20-25 knot winds every day. I just plan on keeping the sails conservative until my wife feels more comfortable and I feel more proficient as a sailor.
Take her easy with the wife aboard..
My wife has been on the boat three times now and her eyes got big when we heeled over to 20* this last Sunday. Myself? I've had the boat far enough over upwind in a good puff to use the cabin window as a planing surface with water coming over the gunnels. No prob, it drains through the keel cable hole nicely. I did spin her out (broach) downwind when the rudder came out the water and that made for some interesting rearrangement of cabin goods. I didn't put the stick in the water but got the spreaders within two feet of it before I let her round up. If you have the companionway hatch in place, a knockdown, while thrilling, won't hurt ya. Mind you I didn't start out sailing like this in heavy wind but worked my way up to it, looking for the edge of that envelope. I figure that if I experience what happens on purpose in a relatively controlled situation, I won't get freaked out or surprised when it's unexpected like a squall blowing up during a calm daysail.
My wife has been on the boat three times now and her eyes got big when we heeled over to 20* this last Sunday. Myself? I've had the boat far enough over upwind in a good puff to use the cabin window as a planing surface with water coming over the gunnels. No prob, it drains through the keel cable hole nicely. I did spin her out (broach) downwind when the rudder came out the water and that made for some interesting rearrangement of cabin goods. I didn't put the stick in the water but got the spreaders within two feet of it before I let her round up. If you have the companionway hatch in place, a knockdown, while thrilling, won't hurt ya. Mind you I didn't start out sailing like this in heavy wind but worked my way up to it, looking for the edge of that envelope. I figure that if I experience what happens on purpose in a relatively controlled situation, I won't get freaked out or surprised when it's unexpected like a squall blowing up during a calm daysail.
Reef = more speed, not less...
We sail our 26S often in 15 - 20+ kt winds. The secret is to reef both sails. You'll make hull speed, especially with the less heel - and the boat can be balanced beautifully. We can take our hand off the tiller in these conditions while touching 7kts with 15 degrees of heel. It is well worth the effort to improve the reefing system. We added a turning block and dedicated line so the outhaul doesn't need to be untied/retied. Makes it much easier. Next, we'll add slug gates and reefing line up front. As for my wife - she is the "heel monster" - likes to crank it up to 35+ degrees when I'm in the head! Chris
We sail our 26S often in 15 - 20+ kt winds. The secret is to reef both sails. You'll make hull speed, especially with the less heel - and the boat can be balanced beautifully. We can take our hand off the tiller in these conditions while touching 7kts with 15 degrees of heel. It is well worth the effort to improve the reefing system. We added a turning block and dedicated line so the outhaul doesn't need to be untied/retied. Makes it much easier. Next, we'll add slug gates and reefing line up front. As for my wife - she is the "heel monster" - likes to crank it up to 35+ degrees when I'm in the head! Chris
Slug Gates?
What are slug gates? Do they close up the gap in the luff grove in the mast? Just wondering.
What are slug gates? Do they close up the gap in the luff grove in the mast? Just wondering.
Slug gates...
Hi Tom, You are correct about the "slug gates". With them, I hope to replace the reefing hook with a line leading to the cockpit. Makes it much easier... Chris
Hi Tom, You are correct about the "slug gates". With them, I hope to replace the reefing hook with a line leading to the cockpit. Makes it much easier... Chris
slugs
Can you find a "gate" for the Mac? I've had to use a slug stop inserted in the mast groove to prevent my main's slugs from falling out when I reef or fully drop the main. BWY has a nice single-hand reefing kit for the Mac that is reasonably priced.
Can you find a "gate" for the Mac? I've had to use a slug stop inserted in the mast groove to prevent my main's slugs from falling out when I reef or fully drop the main. BWY has a nice single-hand reefing kit for the Mac that is reasonably priced.
Reef, Reef, Reef!
After many Decades of sailing South Florida, especially Biscayne Bay, Reefing is the secret. Although I sometimes like sailing the boat on it's sides and listening to the center board cable humming, some of my guests don't appreciate it. Many years ago sailing time was limited to weekends only. So weather never detered us. All we wanted to do was be out there. When we couldn't sail away from or around the storms and squalls, you know, the ones that top out at 40,000 feet and have anvil tops on em, it was drop the sails, tie em up quick. Let out about 70 to a 100 feet of anchor rode, pop below and wait it out for a few minutes. we enjoyed Nature at its violent best in a very secure boat.
After many Decades of sailing South Florida, especially Biscayne Bay, Reefing is the secret. Although I sometimes like sailing the boat on it's sides and listening to the center board cable humming, some of my guests don't appreciate it. Many years ago sailing time was limited to weekends only. So weather never detered us. All we wanted to do was be out there. When we couldn't sail away from or around the storms and squalls, you know, the ones that top out at 40,000 feet and have anvil tops on em, it was drop the sails, tie em up quick. Let out about 70 to a 100 feet of anchor rode, pop below and wait it out for a few minutes. we enjoyed Nature at its violent best in a very secure boat.
Gates?
I wonder how slug gates would go on the M25 mast. The opening in the mast isn't cut out, more like spread opened. I noticed on many boats that the face of the mast is smooth, allowing a plate screwed on each side of the luff groove, (after the sail is bent on) but I have never seen "gates" on a mast with "puckered lips" (I hope that makes sense). I would really like such an arrangement on my boat, get rid of the sail stop! Thanks.
I wonder how slug gates would go on the M25 mast. The opening in the mast isn't cut out, more like spread opened. I noticed on many boats that the face of the mast is smooth, allowing a plate screwed on each side of the luff groove, (after the sail is bent on) but I have never seen "gates" on a mast with "puckered lips" (I hope that makes sense). I would really like such an arrangement on my boat, get rid of the sail stop! Thanks.
Keel locked down?
I have read that the swing keel Macs are not necessarily self-righting if the keel is not locked down. In a capsize the keel can swing back into the trunk. I've been sailing on a "skinny" lake this summer so I never remove/insert the locking bolt. Thought of this as I read CharlieCobra's post. Any insights out there?
I have read that the swing keel Macs are not necessarily self-righting if the keel is not locked down. In a capsize the keel can swing back into the trunk. I've been sailing on a "skinny" lake this summer so I never remove/insert the locking bolt. Thought of this as I read CharlieCobra's post. Any insights out there?
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