Keeping the boat into wind - question

[Prospect]

I bought a 2006 26M about two months ago and have been enjoying the boat. I'm very happy with the purchase.

I'm new to sailing and have been going out mostly solo in fairly light winds. When I have my 9 year old daughter with me I tell her to steer into the wind and I go up to raise the mainsail. I also do the same procedure when I lower the mainsail and put on the sail ties when we are done. It is a different story when I'm out there solo.

The main halyard is lead back to the cockpit but the sail slugs get caught on the way up and down. I was thinking of installing a downhaul.

I was looking for techniques for keeping the boat into wind while single handed sailing. There is no autopilot or wheel brake and I find every time I go up to raise or lower the mainsail the boat goes all over the place especially when the wind is moderate. It is unsafe. It happened to me yesterday when I got caught in 25kt wind with gusts to 30 kts. There has got to be a better way.

Are there kits for a wheel brake or is autopilot the way to go or something else?

[Jimmyt]

I bought a 2006 26M about two months ago and have been enjoying the boat. I'm very happy with the purchase.

I'm new to sailing and have been going out mostly solo in fairly light winds. When I have my 9 year old daughter with me I tell her to steer into the wind and I go up to raise the mainsail. I also do the same procedure when I lower the mainsail and put on the sail ties when we are done. It is a different story when I'm out there solo.

The main halyard is lead back to the cockpit but the sail slugs get caught on the way up and down. I was thinking of installing a downhaul.

I was looking for techniques for keeping the boat into wind while single handed sailing. There is no autopilot or wheel brake and I find every time I go up to raise or lower the mainsail the boat goes all over the place especially when the wind is moderate. It is unsafe. It happened to me yesterday when I got caught in 25kt wind with gusts to 30 kts. There has got to be a better way.

Are there kits for a wheel brake or is autopilot the way to go or something else?

Look around your wheel to see if you have a friction adjustment.

[Prospect]

I do not think I have one of those. Can these be added or are they from factory?

Look around your wheel to see if you have a friction adjustment.

[wakataka]

If you've got rack and pinion steering, there was an add-on friction adjuster available -

http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-cont ... A39531.pdf

I bought and installed one about a year ago but it seems to have been discontinued. Maybe if you poked around on the internet you could find some old stock somewhere.

[Jimmyt]

Looks like it was a dealer option, called a pedestal brake. Bill shows the PO paid $125 for it.

I can't find one anywhere online, though.

Do you have the steering quick disconnect, or is your tilted outboard flopping around while you're sailing?

[Prospect]

Looks like it was a dealer option, called a pedestal brake. Bill shows the PO paid $125 for it.

I can't find one anywhere online, though.

Do you have the steering quick disconnect, or is your tilted outboard flopping around while you're sailing?

I don't have the quick disconnect. I like having the motor connected but I understand how it could make the steering flop to one side.

[Jimmyt]

By the way, welcome to the Forum! I see that you haven't posted much yet. We're glad to have you participating! Sounds like you're out on the water enjoying your boat, so that's fantastic!

Yes. The weight of the tilted motor does tend to steer the boat to one side or the other. The quick disconnect kit has a fixed post that holds the motor straight ahead while the rudders can be used to steer the boat. Prop walk often tends to steer an outboard, also. Having it fixed straight head might make a difference. The feel while you're sailing is SO much better without the motor connected.

Off my soapbox now...

Back to your original post, keeping a boat nosed into the wind in 25-30kt blow is not going to happen with a wheel lock in my opinion. Usually, you get a good bit of wave action with that much breeze; requiring constant steering adjustment to keep her headed up. Autopilot might do it, but I can't vouch for it. Don't have an AP yet, and I never sail alone (or haven't yet, anyway) for just that sort of circumstance. But, I can certainly see the attraction of being out there alone, too.

Try to get a better handle on the weather, if possible, so you can get the sails down, or at least reefed, before it gets to 25-30. The last time I was caught out in that much breeze (yeah, I know the weather forecast isn't always that accurate, too), I sailed into a river where I could get in the lee of some trees. I have a hard time getting my sails furled if the wind gets up that high (and I have everything out). That's the trouble with sailing with racers aboard...they aren't much for reefing until the excrement has hit the air moving machinery.

I'm sure others will have actual wisdom to share. But, 25-30kts is getting into pretty serious territory if you don't have a sheltered spot to duck into. If your sails don't come down quickly, I'd start by fixing that issue and getting all lines led to the cockpit and working properly. Staying in the cockpit, within reach of the wheel, would be my secondary goal. Getting off the water, or at least getting the sails down, before it gets that sporty would be my primary goal.

Do you have a wind prediction app for your phone or tablet, and do you check it before heading out?

[DaveC426913]

The main halyard is lead back to the cockpit but the sail slugs get caught on the way up and down. I was thinking of installing a downhaul.

I was looking for techniques for keeping the boat into wind while single handed sailing. There is no autopilot or wheel brake and I find every time I go up to raise or lower the mainsail the boat goes all over the place especially when the wind is moderate. It is unsafe. It happened to me yesterday when I got caught in 25kt wind with gusts to 30 kts. There has got to be a better way.

Are there kits for a wheel brake or is autopilot the way to go or something else?

I solo 90% of the time. I have an but otherwise I seem to have similar issues as you.

1. Spray dry silicone lube in your sail track and on your slugs every season.
   .
2. I have a downhaul. Love it. Runs from head of mast down to foot, out to a couple of small blocks lashed to my starboard spreaders.
   .
3. My wheel brake is great and costs about $10. It is a 3' length of bungie that forms a 'W' from my pedestal to my wheel. What I like about over a standard knob is that it is on top of the wheel/pedestal, meaning I can reach it from anywhere in the cockpit. Those knobs are generally located under the wheel, which is very awkward to get to if you're not at the helm.
   
   .
4. I always have the motor running when raising/lowering the main.
   .
5. I have my halyards and downhaul led back to the cockpit. If you sail solo, going forward to fiddle with the sail is just asking for trouble, IMO.

[dlandersson]

Poor man's autopilot - bungee cord

I bought a 2006 26M about two months ago and have been enjoying the boat. I'm very happy with the purchase.

I'm new to sailing and have been going out mostly solo in fairly light winds. When I have my 9 year old daughter with me I tell her to steer into the wind and I go up to raise the mainsail. I also do the same procedure when I lower the mainsail and put on the sail ties when we are done. It is a different story when I'm out there solo.

The main halyard is lead back to the cockpit but the sail slugs get caught on the way up and down. I was thinking of installing a downhaul.

I was looking for techniques for keeping the boat into wind while single handed sailing. There is no autopilot or wheel brake and I find every time I go up to raise or lower the mainsail the boat goes all over the place especially when the wind is moderate. It is unsafe. It happened to me yesterday when I got caught in 25kt wind with gusts to 30 kts. There has got to be a better way.

Are there kits for a wheel brake or is autopilot the way to go or something else?

[Prospect]

By the way, welcome to the Forum! I see that you haven't posted much yet. We're glad to have you participating! Sounds like you're out on the water enjoying your boat, so that's fantastic!

Yes. The weight of the tilted motor does tend to steer the boat to one side or the other. The quick disconnect kit has a fixed post that holds the motor straight ahead while the rudders can be used to steer the boat. Prop walk often tends to steer an outboard, also. Having it fixed straight head might make a difference. The feel while you're sailing is SO much better without the motor connected.

Off my soapbox now...

Back to your original post, keeping a boat nosed into the wind in 25-30kt blow is not going to happen with a wheel lock in my opinion. Usually, you get a good bit of wave action with that much breeze; requiring constant steering adjustment to keep her headed up. Autopilot might do it, but I can't vouch for it. Don't have an AP yet, and I never sail alone (or haven't yet, anyway) for just that sort of circumstance. But, I can certainly see the attraction of being out there alone, too.

Try to get a better handle on the weather, if possible, so you can get the sails down, or at least reefed, before it gets to 25-30. The last time I was caught out in that much breeze (yeah, I know the weather forecast isn't always that accurate, too), I sailed into a river where I could get in the lee of some trees. I have a hard time getting my sails furled if the wind gets up that high (and I have everything out). That's the trouble with sailing with racers aboard...they aren't much for reefing until the excrement has hit the air moving machinery.

I'm sure others will have actual wisdom to share. But, 25-30kts is getting into pretty serious territory if you don't have a sheltered spot to duck into. If your sails don't come down quickly, I'd start by fixing that issue and getting all lines led to the cockpit and working properly. Staying in the cockpit, within reach of the wheel, would be my secondary goal. Getting off the water, or at least getting the sails down, before it gets that sporty would be my primary goal.

Do you have a wind prediction app for your phone or tablet, and do you check it before heading out?

You're right about the wave action during big wind and wave action. You really have to constantly adjust course to stay into wind. As suggested below I might try the bungee cord idea and see how it goes. I think the autopilot will be the way to go in the long run.

The wind wasn't forecasted. I deal with weather and forecasts on a daily basis with my job and have a good understanding of weather patterns, fronts etc. I have a few apps that I use.

You're right, staying in the cockpit should be the primary goal when single handed.

[Prospect]

The main halyard is lead back to the cockpit but the sail slugs get caught on the way up and down. I was thinking of installing a downhaul.

I was looking for techniques for keeping the boat into wind while single handed sailing. There is no autopilot or wheel brake and I find every time I go up to raise or lower the mainsail the boat goes all over the place especially when the wind is moderate. It is unsafe. It happened to me yesterday when I got caught in 25kt wind with gusts to 30 kts. There has got to be a better way.

Are there kits for a wheel brake or is autopilot the way to go or something else?

I solo 90% of the time. I have an but otherwise I seem to have similar issues as you.

1. Spray dry silicone lube in your sail track and on your slugs every season.
   .
2. I have a downhaul. Love it. Runs from head of mast down to foot, out to a couple of small blocks lashed to my starboard spreaders.
   .
3. My wheel brake is great and costs about $10. It is a 3' length of bungie that forms a 'W' from my pedestal to my wheel. What I like about over a standard knob is that it is on top of the wheel/pedestal, meaning I can reach it from anywhere in the cockpit. Those knobs are generally located under the wheel, which is very awkward to get to if you're not at the helm.
   
   .
4. I always have the motor running when raising/lowering the main.
   .
5. I have my halyards and downhaul led back to the cockpit. If you sail solo, going forward to fiddle with the sail is just asking for trouble, IMO.

How is the bungie cord attached to the pedestal? Did you install little hooks on the pedestal?

Can you provide a more detailed description of your downhaul setup?

[Be Free]

Until I get an autopilot, crew, downhaul, or wheel lock...

• Turn the boat into the wind and center the boom.

• Release the main halyard.

• Scramble up on the cabin top on the (hopefully) windward side keeping low and hanging on to anything handy.

• Get forward of the mast and pull down as much sail as I can.

• If (when) the boat turns away from the wind I scramble down the (sometime new) windward side of the cabin top, back into the cockpit.

• Repeat until the sail is all the way down.

• Install sail ties.

• Promise (Lie to) my self that I'm going to drop the sail before the wind gets that high next time no matter how much fun it was sailing in it.

[45Plus+]

Glad you asked that question Prospect. I am new to a Mac 26M too and sailing on the lower Ottawa River can be challenging due to the limited width. I'd have to have the main sail down fast before I run aground in either direction. Having piloted the boat around a bit I am under no illusions it would hold itself into the wind. Will be looking into running all ropes aft and lubricating the crap out of the mast sail channel. 25% of the time I may have the admiral aboard and she may be willing to hang onto the wheel for a moment or two. My steering is really loose - lots of dead slack space on the turn of the wheel so I am buying the performance steering cable hoping this will help (esp when the admiral is at the wheel or I can imagine I'll be swung out over the water on the boom more than once as she comes to terms with the slack steering I currently have ).

[Russ]

Years ago Jim King had a brilliant idea. He made his main halyard a LOOP back to the cockpit where cleats were located.

I can't find the video, but it was simple. A continuous looped main halyard allowed him to PULL the main down from the safety of the cockpit. Add some lazy jacks and you can stay off the deck.

I'm going to do this mod and then cover the mast cleats that the main gets snagged on. Hoping it will keep me off the deck.

[Prospect]

My steering is really loose - lots of dead slack space on the turn of the wheel so I am buying the performance steering cable:P ).

I have the same problem. Can you provide a link to the cables?