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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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an upside down pendulum

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julie ann
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/14/2003 : 10:48:54

This is my first post. My husband and I bought our first boat, a 1982 Catalina 25 s/k several months ago. We're amazed at how much we've learned and have yet to learn, and this site has been so helpful! Here is our predicament. (we're still newbies, so please forgive my lack of proper terminology!) We sail on Mobile Bay. In the warmer months, the wind tends to be mostly out of the south, coming up into the bay from the Gulf of Mexico. We keep our boat at a harbor on the eastern shore of the bay. When the wind's from the south, the ride through the channel back into harbor is less than pleasant. We're going east, the wind is right out of the south with the swells perpendicular to the boat. This causes us to roll in a pretty uncomfortable way. The 5 minutes or so feels like an hour! I see beamier, heavier boats that are obviously unaffected, while we feel like we're riding on a pendulum. While in the channel, we are under power (o/b) with the keel fully extended. My question is, is there a better way under these conditions? Is the fully extended keel stabilizing us or just exaggerating the rolling? Should we go faster or slower? Or should we buy a beamier, heavier boat?

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 10:57:52

If its possible...keep some sail on while making the run in... perhaps the jib that can be quickly furled if you have roller furling... if not, perhaps add a downhaul line on the jib.

As time and familiarity with the boat grow... leaving the main up will become easier and more comfortable (and easier to see under than the jib) and will greatly reduce the roll.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/rr4.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - arlyn stewart on 09/14/2003 11:01:09

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 11:03:03

Welcome to the group, Julie Ann! The relatively narrow beam and rounded midsection of the C-25 makes it a bit of a rocker. Your extended keel should dampen the motion somewhat, but another way to dampen it much more is to leave at least your mainsail up until you're in the quieter water of the harbor. Cruisers often do that even in no wind, to dampen the motion from boat wakes and such.

All the best with your new 25! Keep coming back--one day you'll be giving the advice. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Damn, he beat me again... Go sailing, Arlyn! (It's raining here...)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/14/2003 11:04:58

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 11:15:53

Hey...it might be doing more than raining in a few days....

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/rr4.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 11:44:19

Don't worry, those other boats are likely doing their share of rolling too.. especially if they are sailboats !

Due to their rounded hull sections (designed to be effecient while heeled over) sailboats are notorious for being rolly with no sail up.

If you have the wind on the beam.. sail or motor sail in. Mind that you don't lift the motor out of the water if you're heeled on the "wrong" side. (as others have already posted)

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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julie ann
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 12:57:38

I sure appreciate the helpful advice and input. We never considered 'sailing' in because we assumed that was something only more experienced sailors did! We'll definitely try it next time we get to go out.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the folks who may have to contend with Isabel.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2003 : 13:51:02

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
We never considered 'sailing' in because we assumed that was something only more experienced sailors did! We'll definitely try it next time we get to go out.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Julie Ann... I should ad the caveat that we haven't seen the channel or the harbor you're returning to, so we should probably recommend that you not try sailing or motor-sailing in until you feel comfortable with the idea. With wind on the beam or stern quarter, you should find it easy to control the boat, EXCEPT (big EXCEPT) if you need to slow down or stop. To luff up, you may have to change directions, creating complications. Having the motor running can give you more options, but remember that when your motor is on, you're a power vessel under the rules.

Take it all slowly, as you become familiar with the boat and the environment. And keep in touch as you go along.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2003 : 12:40:18

Julie Ann,

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> We never considered 'sailing' in because we assumed that was something only more experienced sailors did! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

"Motor sailing" isn't really sailing. When you motor sail, you are usually motoring with the mainsail raised. Because you are motoring, it is easier to control the direction of the boat than when you are sailing. The motor is driving the boat, not the sails. As the boat moves through the water, the wind is moving over the surface of the mainsail, and it stabilizes the boat, keeping it from rolling so much.

As Dave suggested, it's not usually a good idea for a novice to sail or motor sail in a very narrow channel, where you don't have room to maneuver, because a strong puff of wind might push the boat out of the channel. But, if you are in an area where you have room to maneuver, motor sailing is a good way to stabilize a rolling boat.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2003 : 13:47:49

Julie Ann,

All good advice, may i suggest that you practice what has been said out of the narrow channel that you would be using the new found skills in.

Good luck with your C-25 and welcome to the group.

Val on Calista # 3936

Val Bisagni]<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df11b3127cce94709c5ff2e90000000010" border=0>

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