This query is for CD 27 owners. What sail combination works best for you tacking into winds of 15-20 knots? Bigger genoa with reefed main or standard jib and full main?
robin.meigel@alumnae.brynmawr.edu
CD 27 Upwind - question for owners
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Warren Kaplan
Re: CD 27 Upwind - question for owners
Robin,Robin Meigel wrote: This query is for CD 27 owners. What sail combination works best for you tacking into winds of 15-20 knots? Bigger genoa with reefed main or standard jib and full main?
I usually go with a reefed mainsail and full genny. I only carry a furling 110% genny anyway. More important however is how the boat handles. A full main especially in the upper reaches of 15-20 knot winds will cause excessive heeling...not very efficient. And that massive weather helm..Ugh! That blasted weather helm! Reefing the main reduces the weather helm quite a bit which leads to a more balanced boat and much less heeling and usually a faster boat speed to boot, as sailing upright is more efficient and not having to constantly deviated the rudder to correct the weather helm means that the rudder doesn't act like a brake every time you move it off the centerline. An added benefit of not having to constantly fight that weather helm is that you won't have to reach for the Advil at night for all those sore muscles before you go to sleep! Reef the main and carry the full genny as long as possible and prudent for safety and boat efficiency. Hope this helps.
Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166 (1980)
Setsail728@aol.com
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Clay Stalker
Re: CD 27 Upwind - question for owners
Robin,Robin Meigel wrote: This query is for CD 27 owners. What sail combination works best for you tacking into winds of 15-20 knots? Bigger genoa with reefed main or standard jib and full main?
My CD27 sails much better overall with a reef in the main at anything over 15 knots....especially to windward. I use a 135 genny on a Harken furler and can usually keep this fully deployed until about 20 knots, then slowly begin to furl it in. Visibility is something of a problem with the big genny, however, as I often sail alone....lots of bending over to look under...but the larger headsail is really needed in the fluky light winds of summer in New England...
Clay Stalker
CD 27 SALSA #247
Bristol, Rhode Island
cstalker@cheshire.net
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Jeff Schmoyer
Re: CD 27 Upwind - question for owners
I have a CD27 with a bit of an unusual setup: it's got the self tacking jib on a job boom (like some CD 28's have), and the "rear facing" rack and pinion wheel steering like some CD30's.
One of the advantages of the self tacker is that you can sheet a jib sail extremely tight relative to the centerline and keep good sail shape. Because of this, there is a "middle range" of winds where I get the best upwind performance with a working jib plus a full main.
below 10 knots: full main (clew loose) and Genny
10-15 knots: full main (clew tight) and working jib on boom
15-20 knots: reefed main and working jib on boom
Above 10 knots with the right sail combinations and trim, I can really get the boat into a groove where she'll only point like a fin keeler, but the boat will actually track straight for long periods of time (e.g. 5-10 minutes) with little or no attention to the helm. The jib also gives better visibility, so easier to singlehand.
Below 10 knots, she sails well with the genny, but lighter fin keelers seem to have a slight advantage.
Now for winds above 20 kt, I'm still learning and figuring things out. I do get some weather helm and heel with working jib and one reef in the main, no matter how I trim out. I haven't had enough time to figure out the best combos to hit the "groove", whether it's a matter of proper trim or maybe it's a second reef, or just a matter of trim. Although if I bear off 10-15 degrees to a close reach things get a lot better- and FAST!
Good luck. I've absolutlely fallen in love with this boat's sailing qualities. I still have a lot to learn, but she's a great teacher.
Jeff.Schmoyer@iff.com
One of the advantages of the self tacker is that you can sheet a jib sail extremely tight relative to the centerline and keep good sail shape. Because of this, there is a "middle range" of winds where I get the best upwind performance with a working jib plus a full main.
below 10 knots: full main (clew loose) and Genny
10-15 knots: full main (clew tight) and working jib on boom
15-20 knots: reefed main and working jib on boom
Above 10 knots with the right sail combinations and trim, I can really get the boat into a groove where she'll only point like a fin keeler, but the boat will actually track straight for long periods of time (e.g. 5-10 minutes) with little or no attention to the helm. The jib also gives better visibility, so easier to singlehand.
Below 10 knots, she sails well with the genny, but lighter fin keelers seem to have a slight advantage.
Now for winds above 20 kt, I'm still learning and figuring things out. I do get some weather helm and heel with working jib and one reef in the main, no matter how I trim out. I haven't had enough time to figure out the best combos to hit the "groove", whether it's a matter of proper trim or maybe it's a second reef, or just a matter of trim. Although if I bear off 10-15 degrees to a close reach things get a lot better- and FAST!
Good luck. I've absolutlely fallen in love with this boat's sailing qualities. I still have a lot to learn, but she's a great teacher.
Jeff.Schmoyer@iff.com