today (Sept. 7) I went for a sail. Winds were quite strong once I got out into the harbor. When I came back in I was in a bit of a precarious position. To get into the harbor you go down a narrow channel. The problem was it was perfectly upwind to get back in. I found myself tacking back and forth.. the boat wouldn't point close to the wind. After numerous tacks, and turnarounds to re-enter the harbor, I gave up dropped the sail and paddled in with my safety paddle. What is the deal with this boat and pointing?
A few other considerations: How old is your sail and has it lost some of its good aerodynamic shape? As sails age, they tend to get draftier ("blown") and the maximum draft tends to move aft, and both conditions may hurt pointing ability.
Secondly, were you working against current trying to get back into the channel? If so, your boat may have been pointing OK, but still not making much forward progress into the wind (and current.)
Thirdly, what about your gooseneck position? Generally a gooseneck set at 15 or 16 inches from the tack (intersection of the boom and gaff) will point better than setting the gooseneck further aft, BUT you may need to move the gooseneck aft, up to 20 inches, in real heavy weather to maintain balance prevent excessive heel.
Lastly, how low do you carry your boom relative to the deck? Racers lower the boom (by adjusting the attachment point of the halyard on the gaff) so the forward tip of the boom is only 2-3" above the deck forward of the mast. This seems to improve boat speed and pointing ability.
Don't sheet in so that the boom comes inside the corner of the transom. I find my boat performs better if I don't haul in too close. I don't pull the sheet in past the point where the lower boom gets pulled down, which tends to flatten the sail.
Maris Stella Yacht Club and Crabbing Society
5 comments:
today (Sept. 7) I went for a sail. Winds were quite strong once I got out into the harbor.
When I came back in I was in a bit of a precarious position. To get into the harbor you go down a narrow channel. The problem was it was perfectly upwind to get back in. I found myself tacking back and forth.. the boat wouldn't point close to the wind. After numerous tacks, and turnarounds to re-enter the harbor, I gave up dropped the sail and paddled in with my safety paddle. What is the deal with this boat and pointing?
When properly rigged, a Sunfish will point just about 45 degrees off the wind. Probably about 2 degrees better with the plastic board.
A few other considerations: How old is your sail and has it lost some of its good aerodynamic shape?
As sails age, they tend to get draftier ("blown") and the maximum draft tends to move aft, and both conditions may hurt pointing ability.
Secondly, were you working against current trying to get back into the channel? If so, your boat may have been pointing OK, but still not making much forward progress into the wind (and current.)
Thirdly, what about your gooseneck position? Generally a gooseneck set at 15 or 16 inches from the tack (intersection of the boom and gaff) will point better than setting the gooseneck further aft, BUT you may need to move the gooseneck aft, up to 20 inches, in real heavy weather to maintain balance prevent excessive heel.
Lastly, how low do you carry your boom relative to the deck? Racers lower the boom (by adjusting the attachment point of the halyard on the gaff) so the forward tip of the boom is only 2-3" above the deck forward of the mast. This seems to improve boat speed and pointing ability.
Don't sheet in so that the boom comes inside the corner of the transom. I find my boat performs better if I don't haul in too close. I don't pull the sheet in past the point where the lower boom gets pulled down, which tends to flatten the sail.
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