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What a Weekend!

2K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  Alex W 
#1 · (Edited)
#2 ·
Went out as a crew member on Friday night. Just me, the captain, and another rookie like myself. Sure enough, there wasn't much wind, and as soon as we made it all the way across the river, the thunderstorms moved in. It was a scary, wet ride back to the dock.

Got up Saturday morning to do yard work, but it was so windy. Hmmm... A quick call to Dad, and we were on the boat by 11:30. "I want to see both sails up today, son." Alright! We motored out of the creek, turned North-Northwest into the wind, and up went the main. We started going pretty fast, and then it was time for the 100 working jib, which rolled right out, and with a pop of wind, we started MOVING. I mean really moving!

Words cannot describe the feeling a noob gets on the first BFS. We were heeled way over, the rail was almost touching the water. I was very worried that my Dad was going to fly off the side of the boat, but he said he had it under control. I really should have let off on the main some, but we were really having fun, and making great speed. According to his ISailor app on his phone, we topped out at 6.9 knots! I did not think that was possible on this boat. I also didn't know that much fun could be had on a boat. There were dozens of boats out on the river, it was just a gorgeous day.

The picture doesn't show much perspective, but we were heeled over so far that I had to keep falling off the wind just to ease the stress of the whole thing. Next time, I will let the main out more, it was just off center on the traveler. We probably could have made similar speed with less heel that way? Yes, got to get that lower lifeline fixed, too!
 
#7 ·
Next time, I will let the main out more, it was just off center on the traveler. We probably could have made similar speed with less heel that way? Yes, got to get that lower lifeline fixed, too!
When you are heeled over so much that your keel almost comes out of the water (been there more than once dinghy sailing), you really need to de-power your sail just a bit. And I would definitely fix that lifeline. The more you heel, the more handy that line seems to be.
Glad you had such a great trip! :)
 
#3 ·
I've only been sailing for 3 years, so I well remember that feeling.

Assuming that the mainsheet was trimmed properly, try letting the traveler all the way down, to ease the heeling before you let out the mainsheet. That way, you'll keep your speed but the boat will stand up a little, giving you better comfort and control.

If you were making 6.9 knots upwind (probably a beam reach or a close reach), then you were probably trimmed reasonably well, and not dragging the rudder through the water like a brake.
 
#6 ·
Sweet weekend! It's a great feeling when you get the boat up and hauling, no matter how long you've been sailing! I've been sailing my entire life, but I still get a little thrill once the wind picks up and we get some momentum going...

Also with the traveler, agree with previous posters, not trying to tell you what to do, but if we're getting overpowered and having to use too much helm, the options go like this: backstay on, trav down, sheet off a little. Sounds like you handled it really well though! I mean honestly as long as you were in control, it doesn't really matter how fast you were going.
 
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#8 ·
Sounds like a fun day, it's amazing how exciting/scary/exhilarating/hairy going 8mph can be :D
If you really want to go fast, the 27s are great reaching boats, try falling off the wind a touch and getting onto a close/beam reach and trimming her properly, she will fly.
 
#10 ·
Couple of questions:
Where is your jib sheet coming in from? It looks like it's coming onto the winch almost flat which might cause you some problems. Are you coming straight from the clew of the sail, or via a block/track?
Is that a Wincher on your winch? If so, they are supposed to sit over the top of the winch rather than the drum.
 
#11 ·
We were on a beam reach for most of the day. I noticed last time that she sails nice on a close reach, at least in light air. The jib sheet was led through a block on the genoa track. The block was set too far aft, for the 150 genoa that I refuse to use (for fear of messing it up) until I get better at sailing. Nope, don't think I have winchers, but I will check on the next trip.
 
#13 ·
Those blocks should be easy to move on the track. I'd recommend marking normal locations for each of your head sails. There is nothing wrong with using a smaller headsail in that much wind, it will likely be faster and the boat will certainly be easier to handle. If you have the block too far back it will flatten your sail and add a of twist, this isn't necessarily a bad thing on a high wind day (as long as you do something similar to your main). We often tweak the block location while sailing.

Paul has a good eye, it does look like you have a wincher taking up useful room on your winch.

Close reach usually feels the most fun on a light air day.
 
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