Not sure this is the right area for this question, but here goes.
I'm an experienced sailor that has owned several yachts but I've come across an problem I've never seen before.
I have a 33ft crusier. Nothing special but a nice little yacht. She has
furling job and in mast
furling. However there is something going very wrong with the main sail trim. I'll explain the situation.
Sailing close to the wind in say a 3-4 she sails wonderfully. Nicely balanced, sails quite close to the wind (for a crusier), all seems very happy.
HOWEVER
As soon as the wind come round to the beam i.e. any sort of reach she slows right down. Obviusly I trim the sails accordingly but she just goes slower. As well as slowing down she doesnt feel right. She's thrown off by the smallest wave, isnt balanced ect just feels horid.
NOW HERES the kicker. I was playing with her mainsail trim last weekend, I had a 3-4 on the beam and she was playing up again. So just as a laugh I let the main out until it started to luff (back of the main flapping like crazy), and what would happen SHE SPEEDS UP. Yes I know ?? she actually sped up with the main luffing. I test this over and over again and the same result. Somehow the back of the sail seems to working against itself on a beam reach? I've never seen this before. True I've not had much experience with in mast furling (hate them really), so has anyone out there got ideas about what's going on?
I suspect the
rigging is out somehow but looking at all my book about
rigging nothing mentions this situation.
Any advice / ideas welcome
Thanks
Matt