optimum angle of heel-CD 27

[Bob Miller]

We just got back from the Sail Expo in Atlantic City and attended a seminar on "Performance Cruising" by this gentleman from Offshore Sailing School. He was really good. We learned a lot, but one thing he mentioned is that the boat should be reefed to keep it at its optimum angle of heel so you can steer the boat with 3 fingers. Does anyone know the angle for a CD 27? He said to contact the designer, but, unfortunately, Karl Alberg passed on. 12-15 degrees rings a bell in my head.



millerfam5050@worldnet.att.net

[Neil Gordon]

>>Does anyone know the angle for a CD 27?<<

I'd forget about the math and do what seems to make the boat happy. I find if LIQUIDITY isn't more or less on her feet, I get weather helm and excitement, but not more speed. If I'm fighting the tiller, it's time to reef... figure wind around 17 knots or so, but it's more by feel. My experience is a better ride with no loss of speed.

I'd say the goal should be to carry as little sail as you can without sacrificing speed, rather than what's the most you can carry and still control the boat.

As for three fingers on the tiller... maybe on a dinghy.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[David Brownlee]

We've never tried to measure the angle of heel, but when going to windward, we aim to keep the rail dry. That means

first, depowering the main by letting the traveller run all the way to the end of the track;
using the 170% genny until just before small white caps become prevalent (around 13 kts), then using the 105% genny;
taking in one reef or shifting to the #1 jib (the original Vector sail) at 18 or so;
at about 20 taking in one reef (if we already have the #1 jib up) or shifting to the #1 jib (if we already have a reef);
taking in a second reef at 24-25;
above 25 we eventually shift to the #2 jib and take in a third reef.

That keeps us comfortable. The tricky thing is that if you're trying to power through big, steep seas (like at the mouth of the Potomac), you'll need to carry more sail than comfort (or the formula for maximum speed in smooth water) would dictate, in order to keep the boat moving.

David Brownlee
CD 27 #181 (for sale!)
and CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Warren Moore]

The optimum angle of heel for my CD28 is very easy to find. It's when the first mate ( wife ) says, " I don't like this, it's not fun anymore!" That's when I know it's time to reef.

We just got back from the Sail Expo in Atlantic City and attended a seminar on "Performance Cruising" by this gentleman from Offshore Sailing School. He was really good. We learned a lot, but one thing he mentioned is that the boat should be reefed to keep it at its optimum angle of heel so you can steer the boat with 3 fingers. Does anyone know the angle for a CD 27? He said to contact the designer, but, unfortunately, Karl Alberg passed on. 12-15 degrees rings a bell in my head.

wmoore@peconic.net

[skipper]

While watching your knotmeter, I would experiment with different angles of heel to see where the boat best performs. Making sure you trim sails as needed. The best performance in typical weather (non-stormy)is when you are going fastest. I was taught that the boat usually performs better when it isn't heeled way over, because you lose a lot of wind off the top of the sails when it is heeled. It may be alot of fun, but you are actually going slower than if the boat was flatter.
Hope this makes sense!!

PS: I have a 27 Cape Dory too.



spyronica@aol.com

[skipper]

AS for reefing,I try to keep the boat's heel reasonable in high winds for control and safe speed. I try to keep the heel comfortable. A combination of smaller jib and reefed main seems to work best for me. I try to keep the sail area balanced by still using some head sail or a storm jib with a reefed main to help control (steering) the boat.




spyronica@aol.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

All of the prior comments are right on. I believe that the optimum speed is achieved when amidships the rail is about 4 to 6" above the water. I don't have an angle measurement for you, but that's when Second Chance really gallops. The reason is simple--the hull is designed to actually increase water line length when heeled. So as the boat begins heeling, the hull gets longer and the theoretical hull speed increases. (Theoretical maximum hull speed on a displacement hull is proportional to the water line length.) Only to a point, however. Once you get the rail wet on the 27, the sail is tipped so far that it starts spilling wind and you begin to slow down. The exact angle will depend on sea and wind conditions. You will find that "groove." Have fun!

Bill Goldsmith
CD27 #173
Second Chance

We just got back from the Sail Expo in Atlantic City and attended a seminar on "Performance Cruising" by this gentleman from Offshore Sailing School. He was really good. We learned a lot, but one thing he mentioned is that the boat should be reefed to keep it at its optimum angle of heel so you can steer the boat with 3 fingers. Does anyone know the angle for a CD 27? He said to contact the designer, but, unfortunately, Karl Alberg passed on. 12-15 degrees rings a bell in my head.

goldy@bestweb.net