Light winds

[dlandersson]

Just got my copy of "Small Craft Advisor" - which by the way is apparently for boats up to 22 feet.

In an article re: speed, it mentions that hulls designed for planing (powerboats usually) are designed with a relatively large, flat surface - which is good for planing. That same "large, flat surface" means a large wetted area - which will adveresly affect sailing ability in light winds. I found this very interesting, because that describe 26X's (mine, anyway) to a "T".

[Tomfoolery]

And presumably that's why the is a better sailing boat, with more deadrise (plus a larger main sail and taller mast), but the is a better motorboat, with it's lower deadrise.

[dlandersson]

Or put another way, the X has a 5 degree "V", the M has a 15 degree "V"

And I sat and watch in 1-3 knots wind for a bit yesterday as another sailboat crept along - I wasn't goin' nowhere.

And presumably that's why the is a better sailing boat, with more deadrise (plus a larger main sail and taller mast), but the is a better motorboat, with it's lower deadrise.

[Wind Chime]

Spinnaker / Gennaker

"dlandersson"]
... And I sat and watch in 1-3 knots wind for a bit yesterday as another sailboat crept along - I wasn't goin' nowhere.

[dlandersson]

Yeah, I'm working on that. JudyB made me up a 150% Genoa of 3.8 oz material - just arrived today. Been just a few weeks - wasn't expecting it until Sept.

Problem with a Geneker/Spinaker is that its got to be a one-person show (I got kids) and I don't have a lot (none really) of room in front of my CDI RF'er.

Everyone's 2@ is welcome.

Spinnaker / Gennaker

"dlandersson"]
... And I sat and watch in 1-3 knots wind for a bit yesterday as another sailboat crept along - I wasn't goin' nowhere.

[March]

Here's my one cent, for what it's worth.

We got a spinnaker 5 years ago, attaching it to an additional hound at the top of the mast, and to the pulpit. Okay. an extra halyard with blocks, right? It flies really well downwind in 3-6 kts, though it takes a while to set it right with a pole. THEN I got a hanks-on genoa, but I didn't have a n extra forestay, sine I have a furler jib like you do. So I thought, I would hoist it in lieu of the spin and fly it freely, with only two points of attachment: the top block and the pulpit.

Now this arrangement is pretty unorthodox, and the sail sort of works (I have Bill's easy cleats in the cockpit) but in all honesty, I didn't see much of an improvement. With a tail wind, I prefer wing-to-wing, or the spin. Otherwise, the jib and the main seem to work just fine--or maybe I got used to balancing them better.

I plan to add a bowsprit and maybe an additional furler for the genny, but for the time being, the furling jib is my workhorse--and the main. I carry the jenny with us, but there haven't been many opportunities to experiment more with it

[mastreb]

I get my M going pretty well in light winds. Here are some of my tricks:

1) Get a handheld anenometer! You need to know how fast the wind is moving so you know whether you're doing what can be done or not. The M should be able to do 50% of the apparent wind speed in light winds, and the X should be similar. Without an anemometer, you'll blame yourself for not moving when there's no way you could be moving. Light air sailing isn't about going fast, its about going as fast as possible.

2) Put the human ballast on the leeward side. This is opposite of the normal recommendation because you're trying to get the hull to 20 degrees to reduce wetted surface. Listing is the same as heeling

3) Make only the slightest steering adjustments, or use an autopilot. This is key to light air performance. The rudders are brakes in light air, and if you put them hard over, you'll stop all forward movement.

4) Pull up the windward rudder, outboard, and on an M, pull the daggerboard up 50%. I'm not sure what to do about an X, because pulling up the centerboard moves the CLR aft which may induce a slight lee helm in light air, and doesn't reduce drag nearly as much.

Try these out, they're what works for me.

[dlandersson]

1) Got a anenometer - PO had it installed. Shows "apparent wind" or "true wind". I tend to like "apparent wind".

2) Nice point.

3) Nice point and sadly very true.

4) I'll try it. There's no wind, so pulling up the centerboard can't hurt much. It's not like I'm moving.

Or I can simply break out a book, loll under the Bimini and sip my drink...and wait for the wind to pick up.

Or, a really big fan and really long extension cord.

I get my M going pretty well in light winds. Here are some of my tricks:

1) Get a handheld anenometer! You need to know how fast the wind is moving so you know whether you're doing what can be done or not. The M should be able to do 50% of the apparent wind speed in light winds, and the X should be similar. Without an anemometer, you'll blame yourself for not moving when there's no way you could be moving. Light air sailing isn't about going fast, its about going as fast as possible.

2) Put the human ballast on the leeward side. This is opposite of the normal recommendation because you're trying to get the hull to 20 degrees to reduce wetted surface. Listing is the same as heeling

3) Make only the slightest steering adjustments, or use an autopilot. This is key to light air performance. The rudders are brakes in light air, and if you put them hard over, you'll stop all forward movement.

4) Pull up the windward rudder, outboard, and on an M, pull the daggerboard up 50%. I'm not sure what to do about an X, because pulling up the centerboard moves the CLR aft which may induce a slight lee helm in light air, and doesn't reduce drag nearly as much.

Try these out, they're what works for me.

[NiceAft]

As sailors, you should know the importance of being ready in any situation, in other words, carry spare parts. This applies to the wind also. I always carry spares, just in case.

In low wind conditions, stay upwind of me

Ray

[Hamin' X]

Gravity will also lend some shape to the sails. This might be more important that the wetted surface reduction.

~Rich

I get my M going pretty well in light winds. Here are some of my tricks:

2) Put the human ballast on the leeward side. This is opposite of the normal recommendation because you're trying to get the hull to 20 degrees to reduce wetted surface. Listing is the same as heeling

[dlandersson]

I'm workin' on my diet.

Gravity will also lend some shape to the sails. This might be more important that the wetted surface reduction.

~Rich

I get my M going pretty well in light winds. Here are some of my tricks:

2) Put the human ballast on the leeward side. This is opposite of the normal recommendation because you're trying to get the hull to 20 degrees to reduce wetted surface. Listing is the same as heeling

[budgates]

Gravity will also lend some shape to the sails. This might be more important that the wetted surface reduction.

~Rich

I get my M going pretty well in light winds. Here are some of my tricks:

2) Put the human ballast on the leeward side. This is opposite of the normal recommendation because you're trying to get the hull to 20 degrees to reduce wetted surface. Listing is the same as heeling

I think both are right on this one. Minimizing wetted surface plays a big part in reducing drag. Listing to leeward helps fill the sail when the wind isn't strong enough to hold it out.

[Russ]

Or I can simply break out a book, loll under the Bimini and sip my drink...and wait for the wind to pick up.

Or, a really big fan and really long extension cord.

I'd vote for sipping the drink.

Or...you can unfurl that iron genny.

[Highlander]

As sailors, you should know the importance of being ready in any situation, in other words, carry spare parts. This applies to the wind also. I always carry spares, just in case.

In low wind conditions, stay upwind of me

Ray

Ray that can will not get u too far too fast , I buy the 1 gal cans they get u going faster & longer distance , the pork & beans seem to burn a little cleaner nothing like the smell of Bacon flowing through the air !!

J

[dlandersson]

I HAD to go sailing today. JudyB's written directions of new sails being broken in were very specific.



Son loves the logo, sail seems to perform very well.

Yeah, I'm working on that. JudyB made me up a 150% Genoa of 3.8 oz material - just arrived today. Been just a few weeks - wasn't expecting it until Sept.

Problem with a Geneker/Spinaker is that its got to be a one-person show (I got kids) and I don't have a lot (none really) of room in front of my CDI RF'er.

Everyone's 2@ is welcome.

Spinnaker / Gennaker

"dlandersson"]
... And I sat and watch in 1-3 knots wind for a bit yesterday as another sailboat crept along - I wasn't goin' nowhere.