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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

How light is too light

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/05/2004 : 18:01:42

We just had a horrible weekend with light to no wind. Our Annual Colossus Cup race was postponed three times, finally started and then abandoned when lightning hit one of the boats. I am looking at 5-8 mph now and thinking it isn't worth putting the sails up.

Is it the general consensus that under 10 mph is pointless?

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 18:31:16

"...under 10 mph is pointless... "

IMHO, it depends on what the 'point' of sailing is. (Which is a very individual thing). Some people like the challenge of trying to coax a few knots of boatspeed no matter how light the wind.

Others like the thrill of busting through the chop on a blustery day and aren't interested in ghosting around with light air drifters.

For me, 5 to 8 would be a nice conditions for a 'cocktail cruise'. Watch the seals and sea lions, pelicans, gulls and terns... put the stereo on and enjoy a glass of Merlot.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 18:31:43

Sailing in light air requires completely different techniques from ordinary sailing, and it can be very interesting and challenging, if you like that sort of thing. Not everyone likes that sort of thing.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 20:28:04

If the air will move consistently at 5 or above, I can enjoy an afternoon under sail. Sunday, I was out early in the afternoon (a bad bet on Western Long Island Sound in July or August) and, after a nice, quiet reach down the shore, got "stuck" coming back--no air movement, no steerage, and an adverse current. To the disappointment of my guests, I had to "hoist the iron genny." As we entered the harbor, the air started to move. When we hooked up in the slip, it was back up to 7-8 kts, where it was when we went out. Below 5, you have to figure that you're going to be at zero at any time. Above 5, a C-25 will move (and a C-250 will probably move faster). Unless you're trying to get somewhere, IMHO, it's wonderful.

But keep in mind, I'm OLD.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/06/2004 08:46:35

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 21:16:28

My new boat sails quite well in light breezes, and will close-reach at 3 kts in a 6 kt breeze. My old boat (#1205), despite having new sails, was a real dud in less than 8 to 10 kts of wind. It appears to me that the Tall Rig really makes a difference in light air.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 21:26:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 My old boat (#1205), despite having new sails, was a real dud in less than 8 to 10 kts of wind. It appears to me that the Tall Rig really makes a difference in light air.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No doubt! And new sails don't necessarily help in ghost-breaths. A fuller shape (as with an older sail) is an advantage. Sailers buying new sails that may need to deal with very light conditions should go with a loose-footed design--to make fullness possible.

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 21:41:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 But keep in mine, I'm OLD.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Indubitably!

Edited by - on

Greg Jackson
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2004 : 23:53:13

When I got a flat cut asymetrical chute my lower limit was reduced from around 9 knot wind to about a 6 knot wind. With a slightly flat cut chute you can easily do a beam reach. When other boats are parked or motoring, I'm doing about 3 knots back and forth, on a beam reach.

Any sailmaker can cut it that way. Doyle has some special name for it and advertises it as though it were some new invention. Other companies also have special names for it. Basically, all you need is a large free flying full cut jib or flat cut spinaker and you can move along pretty nice is a ghost of a breeze.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 08:22:18

One of the best things you can do in light air, when the wind is so light that your sails are on the verge of collapsing from their own weight, is to move your crew weight forward of the mast and to leeward. It will lift the boat's stern, which reduces the boat's wetted surface (i.e., drag). It helps prevent the boom from swinging over to windward in the light air, and gravity causes both sails to hang in the curved shape that drives the boat, instead of hanging limp and useless.

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 08:30:55

The tall rig certainly helps in really light conditions. However, any C25 will benefit from a 155% to 170% drifter jib. This sail is a gennoa cut sail (a jib - not a spinnaker) that is made of 1.5 oz spinnaker cloth. I've had one on Snickerdoodle for 20 years and since that sail is only used in breezes under 7 or 8 knots, it's still looking good and will fill in breezes of only 3 or so knots. You cannot reach hull speed, but you can sail along at 3.5 to 4.5 knots......very pleasant on a nice summer day.

BTW: if you have roller furling, you can set the drifter "flying". Several C250s are set up for this.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 08:44:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 
Indubitably!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Man, you push one wrong key around here, and...

Watch your keystrokes, JB--I certainly will!

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 09:17:31

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 11:04:22

See, now he's asceered to tipe anythin!

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2004 : 15:50:16

While sailing in heavy air can be more exciting, the light stuff can provide some challenges and I find it enjoyable in its own right. That's when the tall rig comes into its own, and you can develop a totally different set of skills to keep your boat moving.

Edited by - on

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