I have just bought a CD28. I like any information anyone has on sailing to weather in these boats. What to expect in terms of weather helm etc. Also is engine access as bad as it looks?
I have been reading this message board for the past month- best spot on the internet.
Thanks Warren Moore
wmoore@peconic.net
sailing to weather
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Jay Ankers
Re: sailing to weather
If the CD28 is anything like the CD30 cutter that we have, it actually does sail to weather quite well for a full-length-keel boat. As with any boat, racing boats with fin keels included, you need to foot-off to gather speed before you try to point higher. If you try to point high at slower speeds, you will only stall the keel and sideslip. The only time we have a weather helm is broad reaching...but that is common for all boats, racing or cruising.
These Cape Dory boats love heavy air. Over 12 knots is ideal. And compared to other boats of similar shape (Bristol, Morgan) they have a better balanced helm when sailing to weather, I have found.
The engine access is another story. Any 28' boat is going to have VERY limited space. On our 30' boat, the Universal diesel with straight transmission is very easy to work on the front of the engine. The back of the engine and transmission require lying on top of the engine, with a cushion, and have someone pass you tools and parts over your shoulder. I have tried working on the back of the engine from the access panels in the lazarette lockers but it is like hanging from your feet and it is not easy for your partner to pass tools to you.
jay.ankers@fluordaniel.com
These Cape Dory boats love heavy air. Over 12 knots is ideal. And compared to other boats of similar shape (Bristol, Morgan) they have a better balanced helm when sailing to weather, I have found.
The engine access is another story. Any 28' boat is going to have VERY limited space. On our 30' boat, the Universal diesel with straight transmission is very easy to work on the front of the engine. The back of the engine and transmission require lying on top of the engine, with a cushion, and have someone pass you tools and parts over your shoulder. I have tried working on the back of the engine from the access panels in the lazarette lockers but it is like hanging from your feet and it is not easy for your partner to pass tools to you.
Warren Moore wrote: I have just bought a CD28. I like any information anyone has on sailing to weather in these boats. What to expect in terms of weather helm etc. Also is engine access as bad as it looks?
I have been reading this message board for the past month- best spot on the internet.
Thanks Warren Moore
jay.ankers@fluordaniel.com
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Anthony P. Jeske
Re: sailing to weather
Warren:
Congratulations! You now are the proud owner of a beautiful, rugged, seaworhty sailboat.
Alas, however, the engine acess is as bad as you guessed. You need to be a midget contortionist to get to everything! But, I have done extensive engine, transmission and shaft work on the engine, so it's doable, just uncomfortable.
As to sailing to weather, the shrouds on Cape Dorys are attached comparatively far outboard, at the hull, rather than inboard, as on some race boats. This is a stronger attatchment point, but reduces your sheeting angle when flying a genoa. The reduced sheeting angle means you can't point as high. However, when you fly the working jib, which can be sheeted in to the centerline of the boat, you can sail extremely high. I race my boat, and would often annoy other racers who discovered that my "slow", full keel boat was outpointing them! It was a thrill to see them have to tack away!
Remember that roller furling, due to the headstay sag, will do more to reduce your windward ability then anything else. so, if you want good windwrd performance, don't install roller furling.
Yes, there's weather helm in windy conditions, but it's easily corrected by using the traveler. Some owners have have upgraded the traveler to a ball bearing version, a good upgrade.
I believe the best single upgrade you can make to improve sailing performance is to install a boom vang. Well worth the small cost. More expensive, but a great improvement is to go to fully battened main when you replace that sail.
Good Luck and good sailing,
Tony Jeske
CD28 World Enough
ajeske@ixpres.com
Congratulations! You now are the proud owner of a beautiful, rugged, seaworhty sailboat.
Alas, however, the engine acess is as bad as you guessed. You need to be a midget contortionist to get to everything! But, I have done extensive engine, transmission and shaft work on the engine, so it's doable, just uncomfortable.
As to sailing to weather, the shrouds on Cape Dorys are attached comparatively far outboard, at the hull, rather than inboard, as on some race boats. This is a stronger attatchment point, but reduces your sheeting angle when flying a genoa. The reduced sheeting angle means you can't point as high. However, when you fly the working jib, which can be sheeted in to the centerline of the boat, you can sail extremely high. I race my boat, and would often annoy other racers who discovered that my "slow", full keel boat was outpointing them! It was a thrill to see them have to tack away!
Remember that roller furling, due to the headstay sag, will do more to reduce your windward ability then anything else. so, if you want good windwrd performance, don't install roller furling.
Yes, there's weather helm in windy conditions, but it's easily corrected by using the traveler. Some owners have have upgraded the traveler to a ball bearing version, a good upgrade.
I believe the best single upgrade you can make to improve sailing performance is to install a boom vang. Well worth the small cost. More expensive, but a great improvement is to go to fully battened main when you replace that sail.
Good Luck and good sailing,
Tony Jeske
CD28 World Enough
ajeske@ixpres.com
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Stephen
Re: sailing to weather
Excuse me, but how do you do that? Do you trim the jib by using the windward part of the jib sheet? Or do you have a block installed somewhere to making sheeting the working jib to centerline possible?Anthony P. Jeske wrote: means you can't point as high. However, when you fly the working :jib, which can be sheeted in to the centerline of the boat, you can :sail extremely high. I race my boat, and would often annoy other
Stephen
sailing@star.net
CD22D "Elizabeth"
sailing@star.net