Sailing main alone
Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 1:56 pm
On weds my wife and I went to the boat to rig the camberspar and finish some other odds and ends. The only problem - wind (15-20kts)! After months of not sailing we could not resist. So instead we went sailing with main alone. Here are some observations.
1. I was surprised how well she sailed upwind with main alone (31-33 apparent, is this possible?) but I'm sure she'll point even higher with the jib.
2. She's is like a Lincoln Continental in the puffs. What I mean is the mast absorbs the puffs making the ride smoother without rounding up. With my Oday31 you had to drop the traveler in the puffs or you would round up and experience weather helm.
3. With main alone there is significant weather helm. I could feel the rudder slowing her down. I assume the jib will lessen weather helm. Also I have to rig a cunningham to flatten the sail.
4. The main has power over a broader range of angles. This makes it more difficult to find the most efficient angle. This is most likely because I'm not use to a full batten main. Luff tell tails should help.
5. Harken battcars with full battens and lazy jacks = easy!
Overall I'm very happy with performance so far.
1. I was surprised how well she sailed upwind with main alone (31-33 apparent, is this possible?) but I'm sure she'll point even higher with the jib.
2. She's is like a Lincoln Continental in the puffs. What I mean is the mast absorbs the puffs making the ride smoother without rounding up. With my Oday31 you had to drop the traveler in the puffs or you would round up and experience weather helm.
3. With main alone there is significant weather helm. I could feel the rudder slowing her down. I assume the jib will lessen weather helm. Also I have to rig a cunningham to flatten the sail.
4. The main has power over a broader range of angles. This makes it more difficult to find the most efficient angle. This is most likely because I'm not use to a full batten main. Luff tell tails should help.
5. Harken battcars with full battens and lazy jacks = easy!
Overall I'm very happy with performance so far.