what is the concept here ? do not know what this means or does . taking a guess here this is on a downwind"wind at back" run when this is done ? and is this method a must sailing with the wind coming from behind ? thanks for any input
wing on wing
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Wing on wing is a technique for downwind sailing. The headsail is deployed to one side and the main to the other to prevent the main sail from blanketing the headsail. It is a hard balance to maintain both sails properly inflated while preventing an accidental jibe. A preventer can prevent the accidental jibe while a jib pole can help keep the headsail inflated. The end result is more power than if you just used a single sail.
Extending Benny's explaination, it is also necessarily slower than the true wind speed, which you will note if you look at a polar diagram charting boat speed versus wind angle. The reason is that the appearent wind speed will drop as you go faster downwind, to zero if you match the wind speed (I don't think this is possible unless you happen to surf a wave). Physically, you are merely blocking the wind rather than generating aerodynamic lift with your sails. As you begin to sail higher than dead down wind, thus generating lift, your speed will increase until it hits a maximum, generally around a broad reach or a reach for most boats, and then declines as you sailer closer to the wind.
Go ahead a play with it since it can be relaxing in light to medium winds, and in all cases reduces the wind pressure on your sails. However, Benny's suggestion about using a boom preventer is extremely good advice, or failing that, a high level of vigilance. Even in light winds, if the wind gets in behind the main and causes an uncontrolled gybe, it can come across your boat like a big leaguer going for a homerun.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Go ahead a play with it since it can be relaxing in light to medium winds, and in all cases reduces the wind pressure on your sails. However, Benny's suggestion about using a boom preventer is extremely good advice, or failing that, a high level of vigilance. Even in light winds, if the wind gets in behind the main and causes an uncontrolled gybe, it can come across your boat like a big leaguer going for a homerun.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Benny & Jim provided very good expalnations of the wing on wing technique, however B_C_P if you are sailing a Hunter 23.5 it may not be the best choice for downwind sailing. The B&R rig presents some peculiar problems in that the swept back spreaders don't really allow the main to fully deploy for WoW. You'll find that the mailsail lies on the spreaders/shrouds which compromises sail shape and can cause chafe.
As they both mentioned it would be good practice to try a few times in light air. It should be a good lesson in boat/sail handling.
Have fun!
As they both mentioned it would be good practice to try a few times in light air. It should be a good lesson in boat/sail handling.
Have fun!
Our 280 has a very similar geometry to your 23.5 and I can attent to the issues w/ sailing wing-on-wing. When we're just out for an afternoon sail, the lack of performance is no big deal - as long as we're moving. We typically just gybe downwind and sail at about 135-150* port or starboard. If you want better performance, an asymm spinnaker is sweet (we just got one last fall) and also, rerouting your jib sheets further outboard helps.
Good Luck and Have Fun!!
Good Luck and Have Fun!!
Understanding that DDW is the absolute slowest course to sail and that the lighter the true wind is the higher you will want to sail for best VMG and your own comfort. Reaching off at broad angles then eliminates the worry of accidental jibes and produces the best sailing performance. If you set your whisker pole in line with the boom and adjust the outhaul on the genoa by adjusting the length of the whisker pole you will produce the most effective sail trim combination available.
When sailing in very light air, the best apparent wind angles are 110* to 125*. At those angles the genoa will be more effectively carried on the same side as your main. Only as the breeze passes 6-8 kts will wing on wing become effective.
When sailing in very light air, the best apparent wind angles are 110* to 125*. At those angles the genoa will be more effectively carried on the same side as your main. Only as the breeze passes 6-8 kts will wing on wing become effective.
I could swear I read somewhere that DDW is better when:
1) the breeze is very light (1-3 knots maybe?)
2) the wind is strong enough for you to reach hull speed going DDW.
This is assuming that one desires the absolute best downwind progress. Other factors prevail if that is not the case (ie. lazy afternoon outings)
1) the breeze is very light (1-3 knots maybe?)
2) the wind is strong enough for you to reach hull speed going DDW.
This is assuming that one desires the absolute best downwind progress. Other factors prevail if that is not the case (ie. lazy afternoon outings)
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