Helm Control

[puddinlegs]

Hate to say it, but it sounds like there are some fundamental trimming skills missing. It's probably time to get an experienced friend/club member/sailmaker out on the boat, or just spring for some on the water tutoring.

If you don't have a cunningham, get one rigged. In 12-15, vang sheeting, a fair amount of backstay on, with someone playing the traveller, you should have no problem sailing your boat.

Here's the general stuff for starters:

Main sheet controls (and vang) the leech twist.
Backstay will bend the mast and flatten the middle/top of the main.
Outhaul flattens the bottom of the main.
Cunningham (or more halyard tension) pulls the draft of the sail forward.
Traveller controls the angle of attack and can help to quickly depower the main in a puff by dropping the sail a bit to leeward as appropriate to control the amount of weather helm you have.

You'll get it figured out! Cheers!

[spec2]

Thanks for the practical advice Puddinlegs.

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by RichH

Nope, thats ONLY true if the sailmaker constructed the sail exactly to meet 'class rules', etc. and he/she also actually measured that the 'bands' were 'accurate' and in compliance for the class, etc. Most sailmakers ignore 'the black bands' when they actually measure ...unless the client specifies 'racing sails' for racing. Stock or plain vanilla cruising cut sails are 'dimensioned' from 'stock OEM database' derived from the boat's designer info.

Not my experience at all...but if you race and your sails extend beyond the black bands that the designed specified and the builder installed, you can expect a visit to the ptotest room followed by a handicap penalty.

[RichH]

If you race and your boat has been 'admeasured' by the ratings committee, than the black bands position, etc. is VALIDATED.

Many boats have bands installed by the manufacturer or owner ... never 'admeasured'. just 'approximations'.

[spec2]

DrB....I'm running a 135% Genoa. Running a full main with no head sail still results in some weather helm and skidding to leeward but far more manageable than running with a partial jib. So...you're definitely on to something. We've been running with the main reefed most of the time of late. Seems something has changed this year compared to last. I've got some experimenting to do. Will follow up on this thread next week.

[spec2]

Thanks to all for your good guidance. Went out this weekend paying close attention to the advice provided. We began by setting up our main so the boat experienced little weather helm. I flattened our sail, tightened the back stay and outhaul far more than done previously. The boat slowly pointed into the wind in 7-12kts. Then we unfurled the jib. The boat performed very well and was far easier to sail. My first mate manned the main sheet and we stayed flat and fast most of the day under full sails.

Thanks again to everyone.

[sailingdog]

Good to hear it Spec2...

[MikeNRI]

Spec,

I am in South Kingstown and looking at 110s & 99s. Would love to get your feedback on the model and sailing in Narragansett Bay.

Can you PM me or reply here?

Thanks,
Mike

[puddinlegs]

Not to be a wet blanket, but MikeNRI, you're asking beginning sailor their opinion of a boat that you are thinking of purchasing? What do you think they'll really be able to add? Not a hit at spec2 at all, but it just doesn't sound like a very wise idea. Better to find one sailed by an experienced sailor. You'll get much more out of your conversation as well as thoughts about aspects of the boat that neither you nor spec2 might even think to ask yet be critical to 'why' or 'how' the boat does certain things well and others, not so. Just my 2 cents.

[Izzy1414]

Originally Posted by puddinlegs

Not to be a wet blanket, but MikeNRI, you're asking beginning sailor their opinion of a boat that you are thinking of purchasing? What do you think they'll really be able to add? Not a hit at spec2 at all, but it just doesn't sound like a very wise idea. Better to find one sailed by an experienced sailor. You'll get much more out of your conversation as well as thoughts about aspects of the boat that neither you nor spec2 might even think to ask yet be critical to 'why' or 'how' the boat does certain things well and others, not so. Just my 2 cents.

Not to throw a wet blanket on your wet blanket puddinglegs, but input from a less experienced sailor about a boat or sailing grounds may be very helpful to someone as long as the experience is well defined. MikeNRI might well want the perspective of a guy like spec2. He might be able to contribute some things that a person with more experience might not think of. Not all of the questions one would have about a boat or cruising grounds are technical after all. Besides, spec2, with 2 years experience, seemed to take some good advice (some of it yours) and put it to good use. That alone makes his input useful. I get your point about seeking advice from the most qualified and experienced people available and I agree. But to discourage someone from getting input from other perspectives as well is taking it a little too far. Maybe you're just suggesting MikeNRI include some more experienced advice in his research? No arguments there.