Regarding the Hunter 34 I have read many postings on this site relating to the difficulties of sailing down wind and the necesity to reef the sails at 18+ knot winds. We have only had our 34 for one full sailing season this being only our 2nd full season of sailing so I guess our experience is limited. Granted the swept back spreaders do not allow for the main to be let out as much as one would like but I think this boat still does pretty good down wind. We have sailed wing on wing several times this season and I thought we did pretty well (for rookies). As for sailing in higher winds, although we have practiced reefing and can do it if necessary, we have found that the 34 sails rather nicely in higher winds using just the head sail. Maybe it is because this is our 1st large boat and because of our limited experience we don't know any better but so far we are very pleased with this model Hunter. We hope to be sailing this boat for many more years.
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Paul
Preventer
I occasionally sail my 336 wing-on-wing in very tight quarters, like rivers, where I don't have room to jibe back and forth. However, realize that you are sailing "by the lee" when you sail a B and R rig wing-on-wing. That means that you are right on the edge of an accidental jibe all the time. I don't think this is the worst thing in the world as long as everyone on board is aware of this and stays down in the cockpit. If you could rig a preventer then you could sail wing-on-wing more safely. On boats with toerails, it's easy to run the vang to the toerail as a preventer. I don't think the 34 has one, so you'll have to figure out something else. Good luck, Paul sv Escape Artist h336
I occasionally sail my 336 wing-on-wing in very tight quarters, like rivers, where I don't have room to jibe back and forth. However, realize that you are sailing "by the lee" when you sail a B and R rig wing-on-wing. That means that you are right on the edge of an accidental jibe all the time. I don't think this is the worst thing in the world as long as everyone on board is aware of this and stays down in the cockpit. If you could rig a preventer then you could sail wing-on-wing more safely. On boats with toerails, it's easy to run the vang to the toerail as a preventer. I don't think the 34 has one, so you'll have to figure out something else. Good luck, Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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Fred Ficarra
Paul, the 34 has a full lenght toe rail
A preventer is a snap to set. And Dave, your right about the 34. Enjoy.
A preventer is a snap to set. And Dave, your right about the 34. Enjoy.
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DJ
I use the vang...
to rig a preventer. Not the ideal preventer but it is quick and works. My vang has a block at the mast with a snap shackle so it is easy to unsnap and clip to the toe rail. I use a SS carabiner to attach the vang to the boom to allow the main sheet to clear the upper block of the vang and reduce chafe. I only wish I could sail downwind more. It seems like the wind is always on the nose in the Bay….
to rig a preventer. Not the ideal preventer but it is quick and works. My vang has a block at the mast with a snap shackle so it is easy to unsnap and clip to the toe rail. I use a SS carabiner to attach the vang to the boom to allow the main sheet to clear the upper block of the vang and reduce chafe. I only wish I could sail downwind more. It seems like the wind is always on the nose in the Bay….
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S. Sauer
Down Wind Vang / Preventer
Assuming the boom vang is already attached somewhere at the mast base, and obviously at a tang or bail on the boom several feet back from the mast, try this: Detach the boom vang at the connection to the tang or bail on the boom, Install a Shaefer series 504-09 or series 704-05 single block on that tang or bail. Splice a 3/8" low stretch line to the becket on the top block of your boom vang, run the free end thru the new block on the boom and down to either rail in the desired 'preventer' position. Your boom vang now has had it's purchase doubled and the 3/8" line can temporarily be tied at the rail to check the desired length. Then take it off the rail and fasten it to the tang or bail at the base of the mast. Lengthen or shorten the line to fit both situations on your set-up, then mark that length and splice in a snap shackle. You now have a much stronger boom vang and by moving the snap shackle from the mast base to either rail, an easily controlled preventer.
Assuming the boom vang is already attached somewhere at the mast base, and obviously at a tang or bail on the boom several feet back from the mast, try this: Detach the boom vang at the connection to the tang or bail on the boom, Install a Shaefer series 504-09 or series 704-05 single block on that tang or bail. Splice a 3/8" low stretch line to the becket on the top block of your boom vang, run the free end thru the new block on the boom and down to either rail in the desired 'preventer' position. Your boom vang now has had it's purchase doubled and the 3/8" line can temporarily be tied at the rail to check the desired length. Then take it off the rail and fasten it to the tang or bail at the base of the mast. Lengthen or shorten the line to fit both situations on your set-up, then mark that length and splice in a snap shackle. You now have a much stronger boom vang and by moving the snap shackle from the mast base to either rail, an easily controlled preventer.
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Andrew Brayshaw
Preventers
Hi Dave I have to agree with you that the 34 is a joy to sail if done right. I have permenant preventers rigged attached to either side of the boom about half way along.These then run through blocks attached to the toe rail and then run along the side of boat to the stern cleats. As I sail with a an 8yr old aboard I always tie off the boom even when reaching just in case. If you put half a turn around the cleat a put a little tension on the rope you can also slow the boom down when gybing I also lock the boom off by with both sides when when I drop the main. Happy sailing
Hi Dave I have to agree with you that the 34 is a joy to sail if done right. I have permenant preventers rigged attached to either side of the boom about half way along.These then run through blocks attached to the toe rail and then run along the side of boat to the stern cleats. As I sail with a an 8yr old aboard I always tie off the boom even when reaching just in case. If you put half a turn around the cleat a put a little tension on the rope you can also slow the boom down when gybing I also lock the boom off by with both sides when when I drop the main. Happy sailing
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Eric Swift
I agree!
I find sailing down wind fun on the H34. Along with a preventer on the boom, I use my spinnakar pole to pole out the 155 Genoa and with the pole secured by a topping lift and down haul I have no trouble keeping the pole stationary and the sails full. It takes very little time to set up and take down and feels very secure under sail. I also agree that the boat doees pretty well when just flying the genoa though I prefer to reef the main early and to roll up part of the 155 or use my 110 instead.
I find sailing down wind fun on the H34. Along with a preventer on the boom, I use my spinnakar pole to pole out the 155 Genoa and with the pole secured by a topping lift and down haul I have no trouble keeping the pole stationary and the sails full. It takes very little time to set up and take down and feels very secure under sail. I also agree that the boat doees pretty well when just flying the genoa though I prefer to reef the main early and to roll up part of the 155 or use my 110 instead.
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charlie
down wind is down wind
when a H34 is in 18 plus knots of wind it is time to reef, you will sail better and also keep your guests happier. downwind all bets are off, as previously mentioned a boom vang and good helm will send you flying along.
when a H34 is in 18 plus knots of wind it is time to reef, you will sail better and also keep your guests happier. downwind all bets are off, as previously mentioned a boom vang and good helm will send you flying along.
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charlie
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Alan
Down wind and ...
...18 knots means a full main not a reef !! There's no betting in sailing, just doing. At 18 or even 20 knots the apparent wind is 11 to 13. There's no need for a reef on any boat at that velocity.
...18 knots means a full main not a reef !! There's no betting in sailing, just doing. At 18 or even 20 knots the apparent wind is 11 to 13. There's no need for a reef on any boat at that velocity.
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Eric Swift
I agree!
I reef when close hauled at 18-20 knotts. I also have found that I can do almost as well with the 155 alone as with a reefed main and partly rolled genoa (probably because of the poor shape of the genoa). Down wind I would not reef, in moderate winds, and would keep the 155 and main full, using the pole and preventer.
I reef when close hauled at 18-20 knotts. I also have found that I can do almost as well with the 155 alone as with a reefed main and partly rolled genoa (probably because of the poor shape of the genoa). Down wind I would not reef, in moderate winds, and would keep the 155 and main full, using the pole and preventer.
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