Upwind Performance

[Bill Sonntag]

How to Improve “Pointing Ability” Of Larger Cape Dory Sailboats?

Sailing a Cape Dory 31 I’m always impressed by the boatspeed on a close reach or footing. Bear up to close-hauled, truly beating at the closest point possible, genoa or jib sheets hauled tight, main sheeted-in with shape adjustments for weather helm and the performance drops. Boatspeed drops some, but I find that the Cape Dory simply will not “point” as high, sail efficiently as “close-to-the-wind” as other boats of similar size in similar wind and sea conditions - this in especially in relatively flat wave conditions.

Why? - And, are there any improvements, procedures, equipment or configuration modifications and tweaks that help? The following are some specific questions and possible answers. Some of the answers are conjecture – none with any investment other than experience.

Hull/Design Configuration

A major factor of up-wind performance is always the hull design – are there unique features of the design/size of the CD31? The hull’s not that different from others in the Alberg line – slightly higher freeboard, same modified displacement hull (reduced forefoot) big rudder, big wetted surface. For sake of brevity, they’re more alike than different and like other Cape Dory sailboats, the boat does like to heel over and go.

Without a discourse on the evolution of yacht design, the fin keel, spade rudder, flat entry, hard chine designs from the mid-60’s to present day have gained a performance reputation if not a true edge with additional hydrodynamic lift, less wetted surface longer LWLs when compared to full keel models. That seems to be a starting point. Certainly displacement matters too.

So some obvious answers here – clean bottom, slick faring, feathering or folding prop, or just the most unobtrusive prop possible – all a good start. Another answer, keep weight out of the boat’s ends, bow and stern, a holy ritual for those racing Alberg and other similar designs. Keep these designs heeled but of course not stalling with toe rails awash and rudder banged down for weather helm.

What others suggestions might there be without resorting to hull or ballasting modifications?

Sail Configuration/Rig

Again, more the same than different, cutter/headsail/staysail sloop rig, wide outboard shrouds middling-sized mainsail. The CD 31 may have a slightly higher aspect ratio than other Cape Dory sailboats of this size range.

Obvious answers for performance include avoiding over powering with too much sail, control weather helm with the mainsail trim, keep backstay/headstay trim tight, sheet the genoa in tight but not in a stall; watch sheeting angle to control curl in genoa leach; choose right combination of headsail and stay sail or headsail alone for boat speed.

What sail trim configurations or tweaks might be out there?

This post prompted by a trip with a long speedy close reach, turned into a beat where lack of pointing ability made for a long afternoon far out-paced by the other boats in the pack on the upwind leg.

Bill Sonntag
CD 31
Surprise

[Bill Goldsmith]

Bill,

If the main is blown out it will reduce upwind performance. New sails will stay flatter--the position of the deepest part of the sail will stay forward in new sails. With old sails the maximum draft area moves to the middle of the sail making the leech tighter and the boat heels more.

Short of getting a new set of sails you can also check the backstay tension and tuning. A tighter rig is always faster and pointier in windy conditions. Backstay tension (and hence forestay tension) is very important for upwind performance. In fractional rigs, the backstay works to flatten the mainsail by bending the mast and to flatten the headsail by taking sag out of the headstay. On masthead rigs like the bigger CDs, a tighter backstay will at least get the sag out of the headstay. Check tension with a Loos gauge if you are concerned about overtensioning. (Many rigs are undertensioned, which actually wears out the shrouds and stays faster due to higher shock loads.)

Check halyard tension on main and jib/staysail. Older, stretchy, crosscut Dacron sails, require more halyard tension than you might expect to get the sag out.

Check outhaul tension as well. Tighten the foot upwind. This works for the mainsail as well as club-footed jibs and staysails.

On genoas and loose-footed jibs, adjust the location of the lead car on the track. In higher winds, pull the car aft to depower, in lighter winds move it forward to give power. The length of CD genoa tracks does not give a huge range of adjustment, but it works.

[rtbates]

BUT you don't want to deal with the reality. Turn on your diesel and let it tick over just above idle. All will be better to windward. The fin keelers you're trying to keep pace with will never know!
As you said it's full keel with lots of wetted surface. Keep the bottom as clean as you possibly can. When was the last time it was scrubbed? I lose at least a knot if I wait 6 months and I'm in fresh water!! Are your sails in good condition especially the main's bolt rope. Has it shrunk and left wrinkles along the luff?

Gentlemen don't beat to weather!

Randy 25D Seraph #161

[Guest]

Good comments all, but it is the design of the boat that is the culprit...if you want to sail effectively to weather, fin keel, spade rudder, and deep draft are the answers...however, all designs are a tradeoff of some kind.

[Neil Gordon]

How to Improve “Pointing Ability” Of Larger Cape Dory Sailboats?

If you're not already sailing with a chocolate lab as part of the crew, I suggest you get one. Roxy's fully trained to find the most comfy part of the cockpit no matter what tack or point of sail I'm on. Coincidentally, her position also optimizes boat trim, allowing me to point higher and sail faster (or so it seems). <g>

[Bill Goldsmith]

If you're not already sailing with a chocolate lab as part of the crew, I suggest you get one.

Hmm...Is the Chocolate Lab covered in this esteemed periodical?

http://www.pointingdogjournal.com/

If so, even if the boat doesn't point well, maybe the dog will...

[Neil Gordon]

If so, even if the boat doesn't point well, maybe the dog will...

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She's a retiever, not a pointer. That said, she'll point towards food no matter what wind direction it's coming from.