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We had a couple friends out on our 26s last weekend, and with winds 14mph and gusts to 23, we were getting pushed over frequently to 15 and 20 degrees. I wanted these first-timers to have a comfortable sail. We were reefed, and genny was rolled up to a bit less than the original jib, but still got pushed over quite a bit.

Would you:
*Say that is life on a sailboat
*Reef even more (sacrificing performance)
*Douse the sails and motor
*Point out to me that I must be doing something wrong

--john

I would reef all the way, then either head up into the wind on a gust, or play the main sheet. Probably play the main sheet first, with gloves, and if you want your passenger(s) to feel more comfortable, let them handle the main sheet.

You'd be surprised how much more comfortable someone feels when they're actually controlling the boat, and they'll probably stop paying out as much after a little while.

Depending on the passenger, I'd definitely sacrifice performance. It won't mean a thing to them if they're backsides are stuck to the seat and digging finger holes into the cockpit coaming.

Oh, and I try ever so hard to not point out to someone that they're doing something wrong. Unless they really want to know.

Interim wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:22 pm We had a couple friends out on our 26s last weekend, and with winds 14mph and gusts to 23, we were getting pushed over frequently to 15 and 20 degrees. I wanted these first-timers to have a comfortable sail. We were reefed, and genny was rolled up to a bit less than the original jib, but still got pushed over quite a bit.

Would you:
*Say that is life on a sailboat
*Reef even more (sacrificing performance)
*Douse the sails and motor
*Point out to me that I must be doing something wrong

--john

Depends on how they are taking it. Since you are asking, I assume you had folks that were uncomfortable at 20 degrees. Been there, and sacrificed performance to keep the heel within their tolerable limits. Reef, let out the sheets, change point of sail, etc. Make them miserable for too long, and they won't want to come again.

It wasn't your mother-in-law, was it?

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:45 pmIt wasn't your mother-in-law, was it?

I don't think so. That's where 60 degrees of heel comes into play.

Tomfoolery wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 1:28 pm [quote=Jimmyt post_id=343904 time=<a href="tel:1596656725">1596656725</a> user_id=16979]It wasn't your mother-in-law, was it?

I don't think so. That's where 60 degrees of heel comes into play.
[/quote]

60 degrees! Well, that is life on a sailboat...

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 6:55 pm60 degrees! Well, that is life on a sailboat...

Even better if she’s in the head, getting a blue bath while stuck to the lee hull side.

Interim wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:22 pm I wanted these first-timers to have a comfortable sail.

Yes

Do whatever it takes to make them feel safe and confortable. You are a host and make them feel safe and secure. This might be the only sailing experience they have.

I give up. What is Limoneering

Tomfoollery-- Yes, I do actually want to know when I do something wrong. I have to learn somehow. I used to exposing my ignorance.

Limoneer is an antiquated term for a helmsman. Sorry; I'm reading the Master and Commander series.

Thanks all, for your notes.

--john

Interim wrote: ↑Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:28 am Tomfoollery-- Yes, I do actually want to know when I do something wrong. I have to learn somehow. I used to exposing my ignorance.

Limoneer is an antiquated term for a helmsman. Sorry; I'm reading the Master and Commander series.

Thanks all, for your notes.

--john

First of al, thanks for clearing this up. I now know a term I will never use.

Second of all, with the main reefed, let out the mainsheet much more than you would normally do, but keep it in your hand for sudden gusts. It’s amazing how fast the boat stops when the mainsheet is realeased.

As to giving the helm to inexperienced people under such conditions; only if all insurances are paid up.

When I first owned bought my M I had little time to choose a day with favorable winds. So no matter the winds I intended to sail. I added a third reef to my main. The previous owner thru in an old C22 jib when I bought the boat. I river sail the upper Miss mind you so sea state is a non issue for the most part. Occasionally I will see short period waves 3+ft. The combination of 3rd reef and approx 60-70 jib made for a lot of comfortable safe fun. We spent many days in winds up to 25knts. The boat handled great, tracked like it was on rails and sailed in the sweet spot <15°heel. That combination was good to 30kts if you were comfortable heeling to 30°. Granted when the wind died so did the speed. But that's why you shake out the reef and change head sails.