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Post by Thunderstruck on Jun 12, 2015 19:57:05 GMT -5
Today I took Thunderstruck out in sustained 12 knots with gusts to 18+. I found it a bit unnerving as I hate gust at the best of times and though I nearly capsized about 5 times I used Geoffs simple trick to keep my foot on the main cleat to kick out the main sheet when under load. But in wondering if I was doing that prematurely as I felt like I was slogging through the wind and gentle chop whereas you experts seem to rocket through the heavy air. I actually felt like calling it a day after 15 minutes but decided to stay out and practice in a more sheltered area to learn the boat better. Glad I did as I could feel my confidence improving
Any suggestions on how to sail better in gusty conditions?
Rob Halifax NS
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Post by DreamWeaver on Jun 16, 2015 8:25:00 GMT -5
Hey Rob, waves are nice in the heavy air aren't they? If you were on a H16 you would have been arse over tea kettle in a heartbeat LOL. Your angle of attack is critical as well as sail trim. If it's sustained at 12's you can point pretty high and still fly fully sheeted and when it gusts you can ease out and should settle the boat down more quickly. Kind of a balance between the 2 I guess. The mast rake will make it more manageable as well once it goes over 12.
ur on the right track. just a confidence thing. gusty conditions suck on any sailboat especially cats. It's all we have here. A week ago it was gusting to 40+ and it was only the second time I nearly pitch poled and was really hauling ass. it was because I didn't care and was sailing off the wind more than usual to see how far I could push it before something happened. When it's blowing like that I never sail in the "sweet spot" for the wave. There's a point at which you can point just high enough to maintain top speed and still maintain control in air like that. You'll find it and then you'll feel much more comfortable for sure. The wave is about the easiest and most forgiving cat to sail on the planet. Push it to a pitch pole or "pp" yourself and you'll know where that line is. hahahahaha
What is really hairy is when it's blowing and then gusts and switches direction like last week. That's really challenging and to be honest, not much fun. was swinging from NW to NE in a heartbeat and back again. I usually call it a day when it's like that.
What's really fun on a wave is when you have the windward hull just barely off the water and it's right on the verge of a pitch pole. Really screaming. A wet wild ride for sure. That's always my goal. Maximum drive and speed. If you're running 4:1 blocks on the main remember, just easing out a length of rope maybe 6-8" can make a huge diff' in control. That's why I prefer the 4:1's. It makes it hard to hold onto but the control is beautiful.
All the best!
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Post by Thunderstruck on Jun 17, 2015 13:31:11 GMT -5
Thanks
You're right as it all comes down to confidence as my brain is still wired to momohull sailing. As far as rake goes, is there a guide for setting the stock fore stay adjuster? Example mine is pinned at the third from the top. Should it go back a bit more to avoid the lee bow from digging in at 15 knots?
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Post by DreamWeaver on Jun 17, 2015 15:37:55 GMT -5
3rd hole? Oh yea! Absolutely! If it's blowing 15 and above I would move it to the top hole all the way back. Ur gonna get a lot of weather helm but much more fun to sail and much faster.In 10-15's I'm never at full rake. It scrubs a ton of speed below 15 at full rake but raking back all the way above 15 may scrub speed but it keeps the bows from digging therefore in the end, enables you to drive the boat harder and faster keeping the pitch pole at bay.20+ and you'll want it ALL the way back as far as you can go. Raked where you were would be a nightmare in 20+. The increase in speed is mind bending isn't it? Wait till you rake it all the way back in 15's and up. That thing will freak ya out as it takes off like a bat outta hell! It'll really move. LOL
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Post by Thunderstruck on Jun 22, 2015 14:56:53 GMT -5
I will be playing with mast rake in various wind conditions. I also like Geoff's idea of having adding a second adjuster to get the rake way back. I'm also planning a camping trip to Oak Island this year as it's only 60 miles from my house.
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Post by DreamWeaver on Jun 23, 2015 6:06:28 GMT -5
The second adjuster works great "if" your shrouds are short enough of course. When I had the stock shrouds I added a large stainless bow shackle to the forestay and that got me back far enough to go block to block. Once I changed the blocks to the low profile harkens I had to lengthen the forestay and shorten the shrouds to get the blocks to touch. If you rake too far back the blocks will touch no problem but the top of the sail won't close fully. Something to watch for. It's like putting a throttle block in on a 4 wheeler. If you're running a traveler, the distance between the traveler car and the clew of the main increases as you move the traveler out from center. If you're block to block centered(Main fully powered up) and you move the traveler out, you won't get block to block because of the increase in distance from the clew to the car. If you see videos with the traveler fully out to the side and its block to block, the main will not be fully closed in the center position. Just some things to watch for. Have fun.
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Post by Hammbone on Jun 23, 2015 8:28:14 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better Rob, I'm going through the same thing. We get some crappy wind here at the base of the mountains in CO. It's constantly changing in direction and speed, with big gusts. I get apprehensive at times. I think we just need more experience.
Jim
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