Minimum Wind

[Fire99]

This is purely to answer a matter of interest so isn't too scientific.

As a rough rule of thumb, what is the minimum wind needed to make reasonable progress on a mid 20's ft heavily laid yacht?

For argument sake my triple keel Snapdragon 23 which is a fairly heavy boat (or so I hear).

Any rough ideas on this one?

thanks,

Nick

 

[Twister_Ken]

What progress do you regard as reasonable?

1, 2, 3, 4 knots?

 

[[2068]]

Seeing a few boats trying to get back in to Chichester Harbour this afternoon, I would define reasonable progress as "going forwards".

 

[Fire99]

Say 3 kts. (i'll change that plee at a later date.. )

 

[Twister_Ken]

Then prolly 7-10 kts apparent depending on sails, state of bottom.

 

[Gumpy]

This is purely to answer a matter of interest so isn't too scientific.

As a rough rule of thumb, what is the minimum wind needed to make reasonable progress on a mid 20's ft heavily laid yacht?

For argument sake my triple keel Snapdragon 23 which is a fairly heavy boat (or so I hear).

We were out in our SD747 on the Blackwater yesterday in 4-8knots of wind (according to http://www.wmyc.org.uk/WeatherStation.php) and were getting between 2.0-4.5k SOG.

 

[MoodySabre]

Anything over 5 knots wind but two thngs are more important:

1. The tide - in 5 knots wind you won't move much against a modest tide

2. Whether you are sailing with the wind behind or in front of you. Beating into the wind (not too closely in Snappie) will increase the apparent wind (wind over the deck). This will help to increase your SOG. With the wind dead behind then there is little you can do except drift with it.

 

[Fire99]

Thanks folks..

That's really interesting.. I'll no doubt try all of these conditions out in time but it does throw some light on a discussion I was having with a Dinghy sailor relative of mine.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks folks..

That's really interesting.. I'll no doubt try all of these conditions out in time but it does throw some light on a discussion I was having with a Dinghy sailor relative of mine.

As a general rule work on the boat speed being about half the wind speed. 3 knots will therefore require a minimum of 6 knots of wind on a reach. 5 knots, 10 etc. Much as Twister Ken said.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Should also have added: depending on driver's level of concentration. It's harder to get a boat going and keep it going in light airs than in something more substantial. Spesh as light airs tend to be very flukey with big shifts. Managed to (temporarily) get my nose in front of a forty-something foot racing yacht yesterday, coz I spotted a 180 degree windshift coming and he didn't.

 

[bedouin]

In lighter airs I tend to reckon my heavy old 32' boat needs about 4 knots apparent (rough approximation). That means to go downwind at 3 kn I need 7 kn true, whereas on a close reach I only need 3-4 kns True for the same boat speed. That of course assumes calm sea and setting the right sails

To reach "cruising speed" (5 knots+) I need 5-6 knots apparent

 

[snowleopard]

I would say it depends more than anything on the sea conditions. In flat still water as little as 3 knots of wind can give you steerage way but a bit of a chop will stop you dead unless you have at least 6 knots.