sailing closer than 90 degrees....

[groundhog]

John,

I have an albin vega 27. On the owners forum, many believe the vega can not point well. But I have had no difficulty with my boat and posted such a comment. Then a few others came out agreeing with me and stating that they find they can point too. So there is a dissagreement in the vega community, some saying the boat has diffuculty (maybe the majority?) and others not.

I posted here to get other knowlegeable opinions, and maybe learn something.

Sounds like the experience with my boat is not all that uncommon, with the pointing ability and the furler. I have the harkin IV.

The only question remaining in my mind is why some vega owners claim that the boat cant point, and others claiming it can point..
Maybe a difference in peoples perception of the definition of pointing??
gh

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by groundhog

John,

I have an albin vega 27. On the owners forum, many believe the vega can not point well. But I have had no difficulty with my boat and posted such a comment. Then a few others came out agreeing with me and stating that they find they can point too. So there is a dissagreement in the vega community, some saying the boat has diffuculty (maybe the majority?) and others not.

I posted here to get other knowlegeable opinions, and maybe learn something.

Sounds like the experience with my boat is not all that uncommon, with the pointing ability and the furler. I have the harkin IV.

The only question remaining in my mind is why some vega owners claim that the boat cant point, and others claiming it can point..
Maybe a difference in peoples perception of the definition of pointing??
gh

A big factor in the pointing ability of respective Albins may be the cut and size of the headsail.

Just to give you an anecdote: About 3 years ago we purchased a new genoa to replace our old, roller furling 130% genny. We spec-ed the new sail at 120%, but for various reasons (supposedly a software glitch) the sail was too full in the luff and we had to have it re-cut. As a result, it ended up at about 117%, and even today with the flattened luff we cannot point as well as we could with our old sail.

We have lost anywhere from 4-7 degrees of pointing ability, depending on wind condition. Which amounts to an increase of 8-14 degrees in the tacking angle (yes, very frustrating ).

So you can see where folks with the same boats could have different experiences with tacking angles. There are limits, of course, but the right set of sails can make a big difference.