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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Reefed main in all winds

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KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2007 : 10:46:56

Ron, I was also out in Charlotte Harbor the other day and my experience was very similar to yours. We were out just south of marker 1 for 2 or 3 hours and experienced some pretty strong gusts but control was never a problem, not even any weather helm to speak of. I was wondering if I was missing something that others had been aware of. I'm thinking a 135 is a good idea as well.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 10:49:12

Interesting stuff. I raced my C250WK last year in winds above 15 quite frequently last year. I have a stock boat, with a tiller, and did not have the bed in the V-berth like I do now at the time.

I kept trying to keep the boat at 15 to 20 degrees, because folks said that it sailed faster there. I did end up a 30 degrees frequently when the wind rose closer to 20 knots, because I did not want to stop to reef. I have a 135 roller furled jib.

We were going damn fast, overhauling a lot of boats, even bigger ones than ours, when going close hauled upwind. We always got our butts kicked going downwind because I had not gotten a whisker pole yet, and have no spinnaker.

But in 20 knots, with a 135, it was hard to keep the boat at 20 degrees, even luffing the main...

I will try your approach this year, letting it heel more, instead of reefing, see how it goes. I may also try adding a bit of weight to the V-berth, see what happens.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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CaptRon400
1st Mate

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90 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 12:27:39

Kevin -

When you heel on most modern sail boats, you increase the water line length and thereby increase the theoretical hull speed. But at some point you wind up spilling too much wind and start losing power. The trick is to find the point that maximizes your speed. The lines of the 250 are similar to the 400 (and 320) and because of that, I believe that, depending on apparent wind angle and speed, it's going to be somewhere in the 20 to 25 degree range on most days. The more wind you have, the more you can afford to spill off and 30+ degrees may even work as long as you can maintain control. Stalling the rudder will only scrub off speed.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2007 : 21:11:13

Frank, I sail out of Newport. Guess we are neighbors. Anyway I dont have any way to measure wind speed on Piseas II. I have gotten some good wind but have not had opportunity to reef yet. I have had Piseas II for a couple of months and should try just so I have experience.
My 250 did come with water tank in bow and she sails very nicely with the extra weight.
PS let me know if you are ever in my area.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2007 : 07:50:38

Excessive heel can also be attributed to aging or poorly made sails. My old school C-25 has a 5 year old fully battened Hood Main and a two year old 135 by Doyle. The previous owner gave me the older sails as well. Until I bought the new properly cut 135, my wife thought that life began at 30 - degrees that is. I ran the old main for a couple of sails while I had a second set of reefs put in the newer main, that sail really seemed to increase heel as it was transferring less energy into forward movement. A good main will respond to outhaul adjustments essentually flattening the sail and depowering it. A properly trimmed NEW genny will have the same effect. We don't reef until it's blowing at least 20, and we rarely see heel of more than 20 degrees.

The second reef goes in at about 30 with just a scrap of genny. I'm considering getting a storm jib for those days, or having one of my old sails recut for that purpose. BTW - after I discovered how crappy my old sails really were affecting performance, I remembered - sails are the accelerator pedal. I also decided not to try and sell those sails to any of you... That being said, they are still in the basement if anyone is truly interested. LOL!

Sten
'82 C25 - Zephyr - SR/FK #3220 Swansea MA

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.