A CD28 owner that I met at the boat show in Annapolis recomended that using a main 5-8" shorter than the boom (12.5') significantly reduced weather helm. As I am in the market for a new main, I asm wondering what you out there think of this idea?
Thanks in advance, Chris
CD28, Hull#87
chris@annapolis.com
CD28 Main Sail Size?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Anthony P. Jeske
Re: CD28 Main Sail Size?
Chris:
First off, I would be very leery of taking any advice from so-called experts that advocate major changes to the boat's design parameters. From time to time, we'll hear people suggesting that the mast be relocated, the keel cut away, or as in your case, the sail geometry be radically changed to cure some apparent problem.
Keep in mind there are thousands Carl Alberg designed boats out on the water. These boats are designed well, sailing well and handling well and don't require "corrections" of Alberg's design in order to perform.
Remember that weather helm is a function of heel angle and wind velocity. All boats tend to exhibit an increase in weather helm in those conditions.
As your boat heels more than fifteen degrees, and weather helm increases, reduce it by moving the mainsheet traveler to leeward. If that doesn't provide enough reduction, it's time to reef the main.
If those "standard" weather helm reductions don't provide enough reduction on your boat, then it's time to look into items like sail trim, fore and aft trim, mast rake etc.
I believe there have been earlier weather helm discussions on this site. You may want to search the archives for additional suggestions.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
ajeske@ixpres.com
First off, I would be very leery of taking any advice from so-called experts that advocate major changes to the boat's design parameters. From time to time, we'll hear people suggesting that the mast be relocated, the keel cut away, or as in your case, the sail geometry be radically changed to cure some apparent problem.
Keep in mind there are thousands Carl Alberg designed boats out on the water. These boats are designed well, sailing well and handling well and don't require "corrections" of Alberg's design in order to perform.
Remember that weather helm is a function of heel angle and wind velocity. All boats tend to exhibit an increase in weather helm in those conditions.
As your boat heels more than fifteen degrees, and weather helm increases, reduce it by moving the mainsheet traveler to leeward. If that doesn't provide enough reduction, it's time to reef the main.
If those "standard" weather helm reductions don't provide enough reduction on your boat, then it's time to look into items like sail trim, fore and aft trim, mast rake etc.
I believe there have been earlier weather helm discussions on this site. You may want to search the archives for additional suggestions.
Good Luck,
Tony Jeske
ajeske@ixpres.com
-
Russ Campbell
Re: CD28 Main Sail Size?
I have often thought of doing much the same thing. However when I bought my new main and got it on the boat I discovered that most of my weather helm problems could be cured by sail trim. I think the new sail will give you the ability to actually make adjustments which help the weather helm problem. My suggestion would be the same as Tony Jeske's : reef early and attend to your traveler and your sail trim. If you do that the weather helm is very managable.
Russ
camroll@together.net
Russ
A CD28 owner that I met at the boat show in Annapolis recomended that using a main 5-8" shorter than the boom (12.5') significantly reduced weather helm. As I am in the market for a new main, I asm wondering what you out there think of this idea?
Thanks in advance, Chris
CD28, Hull#87
camroll@together.net