Sailing unde working jib alone.

[Bruce Bett]

I went sailing Sunday on the west end of Lake Erie, my usual haunt. There was a lot of wind. Old NOAA was forecasting 15 to 25 mph. But Mechanical Mike was reporting 25 gusting to 33 at the Toledo airport. Having a first time sailor abroad we wanted to keep things reasonably comfortable so put up just the working jib. I was surprised at how well the cd25 sailed this way. Heel was very reasonable no more then 12 degrees or so (I’m guessing I don’t carry an inclinometer). Speed varied from about 4.5 to 5.5 mph over the hour or so we were out there. Briefly we registered over 6 mph. Windward performance did suffer considerably, but I was able to do better than a beam reach. At times I was closer than 45 degrees off the apparent wind. I’m convinced I could claw off a lee shore if I needed to (the wind was off shore on this occasion). Tacking was iffy. I attempted to come about twice and succeeded once. The second time I gave up and jibed which worked well with the small sail. My biggest surprise was how well she balanced under jib alone. I was expecting significant lee helm. I got none. At one point while sailing a little above a beam reach, I released the tiller holding my hand just above it. It remained under my hand for several seconds. I could detect neither weather or lee helm.

I’m not sure how I would compare this performance to reefed main alone. I do have a little experience with that. I do feel that jib alone is a surprising viable sail option for this little sloop. I’d be interested in you’re comments.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD25 #496



bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Ed Haley]

When sailing off the wind, using the jib alone is often a more comfortable and safer way to sail when the wave action is not too severe. The autohelm seems to steer better and I'm less worried about an accidental jibe when going downwind. I can recall a sleighride we had going down the length of Lake Ontario in my CD28 when my KM (and my Garmin 48) both registered a speeds of over 8 knots for hours and one surge registered 10 knots, my fastest speed ever! I had only my 130 up and manually steering. The water was making sounds similar to the sound you hear skiing fast on corn snow in the spring. It was truly an exciting day. We covered 75 miles in 10 hours.

Sailing upwind is a different story. Under jib alone, as you indicated, pointing is limited. With the main and jib, sailing upwind is much more efficient. Don't go by the windex. Use your compass to see how much better it is to sail upwind using main and jib than with jib alone.

Keep track of those exciting days sailing. You'll find they become more numerous in a CD as time bends on.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com