how would you reef/slow down this further ?

[simonfraser]

Hi,
today, 20 knots true, 8 knots boat speed, gives about 28 aparent, very choppy - loads of spray over the cabin - wind against tide, so i did not want to go any faster.
that was with three reefs in the main and the genoa furled to balance the boat in the gusts, 30 aparent.
i could have furled the genoa further, but then the boat luffs big time in the gusts.
that was with all three reefs in the main, for a new main, shall i install a fourth reef, or make the three slabs bigger ?

 

[tillergirl]

Well I think the theory has you finding some way of reducing the power of the main and there you have the choice of slackening off the main leading to flogging which ain't that clever or decreasing its size. How deep are the current three? Obviously it would be cheaper to put in a fourth rather than redoing the existing three.

 

[jb2006]

If you don't want to hang on and enjoy the ride - you could try towing something - a loop of rope or a drogue

 

[jonathankent]

Get on and enjoy it.... brilliant sailing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Salty John]

I don't know much about multihulls, but on a monohull I'd be hauling everything tight and flattening the sails to depower them. If your main is old it might be baggy and incapable of being depowered enough. Four reefs in the main is definitely OTT in my opinion, but I'm a cruising mono sailor to whom two reefs is complicated.
A hanked on staysail might set better than a furling jib rolled in too far, and let you control its shape in order to control its power.
All IMHO and without knowing your boat.

 

[simonfraser]

reef 1.2 1.0 1.0 at the moment, meters !

 

[ebbtide]

Re: how would you design a new mainsail?

Think of it as changing gear, so have more reefs of smaller size.

A club member recently spent megabucks on a new 42ft HR with cutom-built interior, but left sail plan as per brochure - and has regretted it ever since. Only a new main will resolve the crude steps of leaving it too late and being overpressed, then pulling down too much and slowing to a halt.

Unfortunately he's now strapped for cash . . !

 

[ebbtide]

Re: how would you design a new mainsail?

Think of it as changing gear, so have more reefs of smaller size.

A club member recently spent megabucks on a new 42ft HR with custom-built interior, but left sail plan as per brochure - and has regretted it ever since. Only a new main will resolve the crude steps of leaving it too late and being overpressed, then pulling down too much and slowing to a halt.

Unfortunately he's now strapped for cash . . !

 

[jonathankent]

Re: how would you design a new mainsail?

[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately he's now strapped for cash . . !

[/ QUOTE ]
Thats boat ownership /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[simonfraser]

Re: how would you design a new mainsail?

js48, good point, the sail is baggy and can't be flattened however much i pull at the outhaul.

might be better with a new main . . .

messing with the head sail on the foredeck didn't appeal :-(( just a tad wet !

 

[Seal_surfer]

How about small/reefed headsail only - works well for some boats in these situations.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi,
today, 20 knots true, 8 knots boat speed, gives about 28 aparent,

[/ QUOTE ]I don't quite get this bit - you should be able to see your actual apparent - the instrument then uses it to calculate or estimate the true, based on the boat speed.

In other words, the apparent reading is more accurate than true, because it is 'real' not calculated.

 

[alec]

Agree with everything that has been said , and I too know little about sailing a tri.

I wonder if your main is right ?

Most cats/tri's have much flatter cut mains because of the higher speeds than mono's. Also, they can have a big roach which causes much less drag like the famous Spitfire eliptical wing. The extra sail area means little to cruisers. Would you know if the draft is well forward in the main when reefed ? Sail may not be flat enough and draft too far back ?

I agree with the idea of dumping the main and sailing only on the jib but it does have to be an efficient shape which is often hard to get with a furler.

 

[boguing]

Agreed. 20 Kts True with 8Kts boatspeed (downwind presumably) is 20 Kts True.. Apparent will be 12Kts if directly downwind.

Anyway, if downwind, just release the kicking strap/vang and mainsheet. Instant relative peace as the jib wafts you to yur chosen destination.

 

[TonyMS]

On my cat, upwind, I can depower by dropping the traveller down, but keeping the sheet hard on. Then remains adequately balanced with jib furled

Try it

Tony

 

[William_H]

I reckon that 3 reefs is enough for any mainsail. (unless you are really into heavy weather racing) so if you go for a new mansail get the reefs just a little deeper.
If you have a good reefing system it seems to me the main should be pretty flat with 3 reefs. Reefing should get the tack really tight into the mast so that the luff is straight and not strained. The clew should be pulled out really tight so that the sail is creased along the foot and flat. From there a little mast bend may help but this is difficult when probably the area of mast which bends has no sail on it.
As for the jib I will hold comment as I don't have any time for roll em up jibs. Except (yes had to comment) you really must get the sheeting point correct for the amount of jib that is working. And that great roll of sail at the luff must be detrimental so would you consider a smaller jib to fit before you go sailing if you expect strong winds. ie still roll up but just less rolls.

With a mono I would suggest that with weather helm you should try less jib to reduce heel and so less round up tendency. Presumably with a try you do not get rounding up with over power but you should at least try it.
All I know about multihulls is that you have to be the one to decide it is overpowered before a disaster wheras a mono will tell you by heeling long before it is dangerous. So be carefull hard sailing can present huge loads on the mast and rigging.

I have agreed to go in a race this afternoon with a friend but it is currently blowing about 30 knots. I hope he cancels so I don't have to disgrace myself by being a woose. olewill

 

[simonfraser]

TonyMS, thanks, v. gud i forgot that bit yesterday in all the spray )

 

[simonfraser]

snowgoose, the main is def too full, a new one is on th horizon

 

[gandy]

Can only speak for our boat, but we'd sail nicely on headsail only in those conditions.

 

[scotty123]

Re: how would you design a new mainsail?

"might be better with a new main . . ."

Before you spend on a new main to solve the problem, did you try dropping the main entirely & just using the headsail?
This should stop the luffing tendancy due to the 3rd reefed main + smaller headsail you describe & give you some idea of how it would handle if you put a 4th reef in. Some mono's will sail quite close to wind with just headsail, so give your Tri a try!
If you are set on a smaller main, how about a trysail on another track?