Sailing up wind

[dom]

And annoyingly, my sail on Saturday was somewhat spoiled by more than usual weather-helm. Perhaps I had too much genoa set?

Perhaps indeed. Excessive weather helm suggests the marriage between your sails, rig, boat and conditions was not entirely happy. But before looking at mast rake, rig setup, etc., were you pressing too hard, heeling too much?

As the heeling force increases one wants to haul the centre of effort forward to improve the ratio between forward drive and lateral forces. You might think of another reef in the main, a smaller headsail, and if it’s a fractional, consider pulling the backstay harder to flatten the luff and open-up the upper leach. Also ram the jib halyard on tighter as you’ll be a tad off the wind anyway and pull the outhaul tighter if sea conditions allow without constantly stalling the sail. Also free off a tad to try and hold the groove.

Last but not least, you mention ‘too much genoa’. Are you using a furling jib, for few are optimal in such conditions? The ‘pregnant elephant’ cut of a well-rolled/haggard foresail is never fun on the wind! The good news is that fit-for-purpose blade jibs don’t cost the earth and add years to the main genny’s life

 

[Robert Wilson]

Perhaps indeed. Excessive weather helm suggests the marriage between your sails, rig, boat and conditions was not entirely happy. But before looking at mast rake, rig setup, etc., were you pressing too hard, heeling too much?

No more than usual of late

As the heeling force increases one wants to haul the centre of effort forward to improve the ratio between forward drive and lateral forces. You might think of another reef in the main, a smaller headsail, and if it’s a fractional, consider pulling the backstay harder to flatten the luff and open-up the upper leach. Also ram the jib halyard on tighter as you’ll be a tad off the wind anyway and pull the outhaul tighter if sea conditions allow without constantly stalling the sail. Also free off a tad to try and hold the groove.

Bingo!
Mea culpa - I did not haul-up the head before setting off. Slovenly, lazy, crap-skipper - highly embarrassing, and an error never to be repeated.

Last but not least, you mention ‘too much genoa’. Are you using a furling jib, for few are optimal in such conditions? The ‘pregnant elephant’ cut of a well-rolled/haggard foresail is never fun on the wind! The good news is that fit-for-purpose blade jibs don’t cost the earth and add years to the main genny’s life

Yes, I use a furler and again lazily I tend not to swap my headsails for just a couple of hours' sailing.​

Naughty step for me on two counts:disgust:

Thank you for your helpful and memorable response

 

[dom]

Naughty step for me on two counts:disgust:Thank you for your helpful and memorable response

Lol; don't forget that smaller jibs can often be set on an inner stay - also helps with weather helm ...................just pressed Gruinard Bay into Google and clicked the image button. My goodness, how stunning is that; and being Irish it's made me homesick as well !!

 

[Robert Wilson]

A virtual welcome to you, Sir.
And I look forward to a proper welcome when you come this way. But don't come by sea this Friday - XCWeather is indicating 70+kts gusts!!

And yes, the place IS stunning :encouragement:

And not one of those pics posted on Google comes anywhere near the view form my house looking north and eastwards.
That is the opinion of myself and many, many other folk. Honestly!

 

[Pete7]

.just pressed Gruinard Bay into Google and clicked the image button. My goodness, how stunning is that; and being Irish it's made me homesick as well !!

Yes but I think there was a reason that no one has developed the area or built on the island in the bay.

 

[dom]

Yes but I think there was a reason that no one has developed the area or built on the island in the bay.

Sad that Porton Down felt the need to explode that stuff so close to the mainland. Ex the island I though the risk to humans is now functionally zero?

 

[Robert Wilson]

Sad that Porton Down felt the need to explode that stuff so close to the mainland. Ex the island I though the risk to humans is now functionally zero?

According to the scientists and HMGovernment the Island is safe.
The local stalker goes on from time to time.
I've been on, with friends and family, but only on the coble Spit and into the ruined shepherd's bothy (beside the Spit) - there's a Geocache there if anyone is into that sort of thing!

For anyone interested in knowing more and/or visiting:-

I was advised by the stalker not to drink any water on the island or take my dog. I don't know if that has any scientific value, but I am happy not to do either, nor am I of a mind to wander about inland.
The heather and long grass would make walking very tiring.

The northeast side of the spit, close to the inshore end is a good anchorage, in all but a really bad northerly - swell is the problem - but I wouldn't be keen to stay long ashore - just in case.
On the other side of the spit it is VERY shallow. In fact take great care going between the spit and the mainland as the channel is not very wide and the shallows (mainland side) shift after heavy rain - as we had this week (140mm in the last 24hrs and The Gruinard River is massive)
The Spit is a mile and half from Mill Bay, where my mooring is. A great anchorage in anything but a bad northerly swell/gale.

Come and enjoy the area, and call in to me :encouragement:

Google the story of Gruinard Island - masses of information.

 

[dom]

According to the scientists and HMGovernment the Island is safe.....Come and enjoy the area, and call in to me :encouragement:

Don't temp me as I'd love to sail up there sometime! Trouble is from the Solent it's 190 odd miles to the corner, then 500-odd miles north and business constraints generally confine me to 10 days away. I can however often make good speed, so with a fair wind it's 4 days. My plan is not to go much further north than you and then sail back down the west coast of Scotland - most of the Eastern side of the UK is somewhat bleaker! Plan will be to shoot up late spring, leave the boat in Scotland for the summer, then return mid-Sep. Roll on 2019! And naturally if I you find yourself down London way, I’d be delighted to dig out a fine ‘whiskey’

 

[Robert Wilson]

Don't temp me as I'd love to sail up there sometime! Trouble is from the Solent it's 190 odd miles to the corner, then 500-odd miles north and business constraints generally confine me to 10 days away. I can however often make good speed, so with a fair wind it's 4 days. My plan is not to go much further north than you and then sail back down the west coast of Scotland - most of the Eastern side of the UK is somewhat bleaker! Plan will be to shoot up late spring, leave the boat in Scotland for the summer, then return mid-Sep. Roll on 2019! And naturally if I you find yourself down London way, I’d be delighted to dig out a fine ‘whiskey’

With an "e"? Don't let the purists up here see that!
I look forward to meeting up with you, somewhere.
I like your plans, but don't write-off the east coast. I found some nice, friendly harbours and marinas in 2015; albeit a bit lacking in choice due to distances between.
I thoroughly recommend the Royal Tay Yacht Club at Broughty Ferry. Free visitor moorings!!