Lazy close reach

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Sep 9th, '19, 18:52

Yesterday the winds were frequently veering and hitting 20 knots. Since I was just daysailing I would just head up when necessary to avoid putting a reef in the main, which would have been ideal. Today the forecast was essentially the same so I presumed the 10 to 15 would actually be 20 knot puffs now and then.
I put a single reef in the main, set the full staysail, and a partially furled yankee. I was slightly undercanvassed (the winds were actually pretty steady at 13 to 15 knots) when on a close reach but Orion was balanced so well she didn’t need a hand on the helm for long periods.....why mess with perfection.....
Notice the four telltails on the leech of the mainsail.....all streaming aft.

Sea Hunt Video · Post by **Sea Hunt Video** » Sep 9th, '19, 19:09

Jim:

S/V Orion is a beauty

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Sep 9th, '19, 21:51

Sea Hunt Video wrote:Jim:

S/V Orion is a beauty

Thanks Roberto, it so rare that I ever get a photo of her under sail.

robwm · Post by **robwm** » Sep 10th, '19, 16:45

Beautiful boat and beautiful sailing day ... can't get much better (in case you can't tell, I am envious of your steady winds and long stretches of open water

)
Robert
CD 22, Hunky Dory
Land-locked on Lake Travis, TX

John Stone · Post by **John Stone** » Sep 11th, '19, 06:16

Great photo Jim. You’re right, rare to get a picture of your boat under sail. It’s a keeper.

David Morton · Post by **David Morton** » Sep 11th, '19, 06:41

Nice, Jim. One of the great advantages of the CD31 is the wide possibilities of sail configuration. I've experienced the same terrific balance in 23-25 kts with a single reefed main and staysail, but always fun to have 3 sails flying

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Sep 11th, '19, 13:40

David Morton wrote:Nice, Jim. One of the great advantages of the CD31 is the wide possibilities of sail configuration. I've experienced the same terrific balance in 23-25 kts with a single reefed main and staysail, but always fun to have 3 sails flying

We get many of those days here in early spring and late fall. With a full or reefed main and just the staysail set we have a self-tending rig.....delightful.....to tack you merely spin the wheel....no sheets need be touched. Our boats, being true cutters, also balance very well.
All boats are compromises, and rather expensive playthings, but Orion suits me quite well and has proven a very capable cruiser offshore.

Dasein · Post by **Dasein** » Sep 12th, '19, 21:25

Orion is a beautiful boat.
It's nice to read posts about reefing before it's a high drama situation; so different from the racing fleet/ownership mentality.

The Cape Dory Board

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