CD25 optimum heel

[Tom foley]

What is optimum heel for CD25. What is too much?



alewifehouse@mainecoast.net

[John M Freeman]

I have found that mine sails best at about 15 degrees, but that could have alot to do with sail set, weight aboard and distribution, etc. My CD25 develops incredible weatherhelm at about 20 degrees, always has some but terrible at this heel, and I find I lose most of the helm at anything over 22 degrees. I want to watch the postings here to see other opinions, may I am rigged wrong or have other issues I need to deal with.



capn_jack68@yahoo.com

[Dave]

I would say that the 15 to 20 degree heel sounds about right, but as she heels more the weather helm also increases, as you already know. What I founds workd well is I move the traveler out (I think that's what it's called) so the main is flatter and doesn't develop as much power. Plus, this also allows me to point better and increase speed sometimes by a half knot and I don't have to reef as soon. On light wind days you want to move the traveler to the windward side of the boat to have the main develop more power and increase you speed. My recomendation is to just play around with it and see what she likes. Each boat is going to be a little different due to personality issues.

Dave
25 CD R&R
Gloucester, ma

I have found that mine sails best at about 15 degrees, but that could have alot to do with sail set, weight aboard and distribution, etc. My CD25 develops incredible weatherhelm at about 20 degrees, always has some but terrible at this heel, and I find I lose most of the helm at anything over 22 degrees. I want to watch the postings here to see other opinions, may I am rigged wrong or have other issues I need to deal with.

ddsailor25@ureach.com

[Boyd]

The angle at which the boat makes the most speed under the conditions and is still managable... I find flatter is almost as fast and way over and a heck of a lot less work and more comfortable. Experiment and watch your knot meter.

Boyd
s/v Tern
CD30 MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla

What is optimum heel for CD25. What is too much?

boyd@wbta.cc

[Ron Brassord]

I would say that the 15 to 20 degree heel sounds about right, but as she heels more the weather helm also increases, as you already know. What I founds workd well is I move the traveler out (I think that's what it's called) so the main is flatter and doesn't develop as much power. Plus, this also allows me to point better and increase speed sometimes by a half knot and I don't have to reef as soon. On light wind days you want to move the traveler to the windward side of the boat to have the main develop more power and increase you speed. My recomendation is to just play around with it and see what she likes. Each boat is going to be a little different due to personality issues.

Dave
25 CD R&R
Gloucester, ma

I have found that mine sails best at about 15 degrees, but that could have alot to do with sail set, weight aboard and distribution, etc. My CD25 develops incredible weatherhelm at about 20 degrees, always has some but terrible at this heel, and I find I lose most of the helm at anything over 22 degrees. I want to watch the postings here to see other opinions, may I am rigged wrong or have other issues I need to deal with.

Most boats will develop a severe weather helm when laid over too far caused by the shape of the hull pushing the boat to round up.A number of things will work depending on whether you are a racer or cruiser. Just easing off on the mainsheet will be the most effective to relieve the heel and the weather helm. Racers will get more creative with traveler position, sail shape etc to maintain optimum speed. If easing the main is not effective, it's time to reef. An oversized genoa for the conditions is often the culprit causing the excess heel, and sometimes moving the sheet block back will help. If not, then it's time to reef or change headsail.
But, the important thing Is the weather helm will not go away until the boat is at a proper heel whatever it takes. The degree of permissable heel will vary with every type boat. Unless you have a meter on board it's hard to guess at the actual degree.
Just some thoughts Ron Brassord Lighthouse Pt. Fl.



RDBRASS@ao;.com

[David Wiencke]

What is optimum heel for CD25. What is too much?

In my experience sailing boats with long overhangs at bow and stern like the cd25, optimum heel is when the lee rail is just kissing the water. Besides being fun, it seems to be fast as you are effectively
increasing your waterline length and therefore theoretical hull speed. It also puts more hull in the water to resist side slipping counteracting what you lose with your keel lifting.
I posted a reply earlier on how I effectively dealt with weather helm with my cd25. I think it may have to do with shifting the center of effort forward without also raising the center of gravity?
David Wiencke
'74 cd25 serendipity, White Bear Lake, MN/also Nippigon, Ont.



ashfordclinic@prodigy.net