the question -- in heavy wind, is it better to detune the sails to keep the boat flat or let the sail luff a bit??
here are the specifics -- I am 53, 145 pounds, sailing on buzzards bay. radial sail. I do not race but have all of the most recent riggging upgrades. boat is 5 years or so old
the last few weeks -- we have had steady winds to the tune of 15-18-20 mph early and mid afternoon) with gusts to 25.
so, I have the cunnigham pulled as tight as I can (grommit to or just below the top of the boom), the outhaul as tight as it can be, vang tight -- but I need to loosen it up some on a reach as the end of the boom hits the rolling 2-4 foot waves. hiking out as far as is possible. t I even have the centerboard raised a bit at times on a beat
I cannot keep the boat flat
my kids use the 4.7 sail -- a few days ago, I could not even keep the 4.7 flat
so -- is it "better" to sail with everything as tight as possible and then when all else fails, let the sail luff, or loosen things a bit and let the sail luff even more
just curious
mark
ps -- it was awesome sailing
here are the specifics -- I am 53, 145 pounds, sailing on buzzards bay. radial sail. I do not race but have all of the most recent riggging upgrades. boat is 5 years or so old
the last few weeks -- we have had steady winds to the tune of 15-18-20 mph early and mid afternoon) with gusts to 25.
so, I have the cunnigham pulled as tight as I can (grommit to or just below the top of the boom), the outhaul as tight as it can be, vang tight -- but I need to loosen it up some on a reach as the end of the boom hits the rolling 2-4 foot waves. hiking out as far as is possible. t I even have the centerboard raised a bit at times on a beat
I cannot keep the boat flat
my kids use the 4.7 sail -- a few days ago, I could not even keep the 4.7 flat
so -- is it "better" to sail with everything as tight as possible and then when all else fails, let the sail luff, or loosen things a bit and let the sail luff even more
just curious
mark
ps -- it was awesome sailing