Sailing close to the wind

[Stu Mitchell]

We have been sailing our Cape Dory 25 in the Hudson River and have found that we cannot get closer to the wind than about 23-25 degrees.Is this a factor of the boat's design or should we investigate the possibility that our sails have blown out of shape.



srmitch@optonline.net

[Jon]

Stu,

Sounds like your sails are tired. I put new sails on my 25 and noticed a marked difference in performance. The boat runs faster and points much higher. You should be getting 45 degrees to the wind or better. You really need good sails to point high and get the best out of any boat.

Jon

[Mark Yashinsky]

Stu is saying he cannot get closer than 23-25 degrees to the wind??? Seems kind high to me. Dont know too many boat (power?) that will point that high. What am I missing???

[JOn]

I'm assuming he meant 23-25 degrees above a beam reach, or 65 degrees to the wind. If I could point 25 degrees to the wind, I'd bring the America's Cup back with my CD!

Jon

[Mark Yashinsky]

But Stu said he cannot get CLOSER then 23-25 TO the wind. Thats what threw me.
Stu, is this correct, you cannot get CLOSER then 65 TO the wind, 23-25 FROM the beam???

[Ken Coit]

OK, I was going to pipe in sooner, but I managed to resist.

Maybe the tacking angle is 46 to 50 degrees downstream? How about upstream?

Or is it 134 to 150 degrees? Upstream or down?

Ken
S/V Parfait
Raleigh, NC

But Stu said he cannot get CLOSER then 23-25 TO the wind. Thats what threw me.
Stu, is this correct, you cannot get CLOSER then 65 TO the wind, 23-25 FROM the beam???

parfait@nc.rr.com

[Stu Mitchell]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I'm sorry but I believe that I've unintentionally confused some of you. Actually, when we tack, we are about 50 degrees off the wind; if we attempt to get closer, we start luffing. When we come about, we swing to about 50 degrees; I suspect that Jon's comments regarding new sails is probably accurate. Again, many thanks for your interest.



srmitch@optonline.net

[Stu Mitchell]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I'm sorry but I believe that I've unintentionally confused some of you. Actually, when we tack, we are about 50 degrees off the wind; if we attempt to get closer, we start luffing. When we come about, we swing to about 50 degrees; I suspect that Jon's comments regarding new sails is probably accurate. Again, many thanks for your interest.



srmitch@optonline.net