As many of you will be aware this is my first full season with ASHANTI 2008M. Today I was sailing on the Medway wind was forecast F3 (9-10Kts) max 15Kts.
We were on a run/broad reach on our way down river with full sail and achieved 4-6 Kts, on our return the conditions were gusty with winds 10 -15 Kts (F4) gusting to 21Kts. We were beating back and becoming overpowered with the full main so reefed it (we have only one reef), also reefed the jib but in the gusts ASHANTI still felt overpowered heeling to more than 30 degrees on occasions.
I have read that Mac's are tender to sail but I would like to know if this degree of heel is the norm ?
I would appreciate your comments.
On separate issue, I have trouble every time I try to log in to this website and have to request a new password before I can get in. I'm a Ipad and Mac mini user could this be anything to do with it ?
If it is really gusty, I find it helpful simply to go on headsail alone. My M It’s quite happy set up like this and it’s not quite that tender. I to only have one refill my main and look forward to the time when I’ll have one more.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Having owned a number of boats, including a 26M and a steel gaff cutter, the problem you describe is to be expected from a 26M as they are not good at sailing. Before you all respond in anger, it is a motor boat with sails and should be treated as such. David Robbens and I both competed for a number of years at Dartmouth Regatta in some strong winds and I remember once on the windward leg in F6+ I had to gybe to change tack as she would not go about (much to the amusement and delight of the other competitors).
They do not go to windward in stronger breezes/winds. The only solution I found was the engine with a well reefed mainsail up hard to stop the rolling. Roller jibs are no help as they just flap as the boat is going too fast for them to cope.
I thoroughly enjoyed my years with a 26M but it is what it is.
Chris
What size jib are you using ? These boats were designed for use in the US which usually has lighter winds than here. So a 150% Genoa is usually fitted. Next down is usually a 135%. More sailmakers are offering a 95% which I think is more practical for this side of the Pond. You’ll point higher too as the smaller jib has a tighter sheeting angle. I’m going to get new suits fir my boats. 3 reefed mains and 95% jibs. Save the 150% for a light wind reacher.
Thats my take.
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
I have a 95% jib with luff pads. It is much easier to balance.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
The great value of the main heet track on the M is that in gusty conditions you can pull the block all the way up so ghats for a given sail angle the boom can lift in the gusts spilling the wind in the upper sail. This helps to keep speed and prevent rounding up. In a force 6 I would have my 3rd reef and we'l reduced foresail and a touch of engine maybe to assist momentum against any chop. I have gone across to the Isle of Wight in force 8 to 9 in this way.
I agree about difficulty in tacking in strong winds. I used to sail a laser and often had to gybe around.
Roly
Roly
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your pearly words.
I will try David’s suggestion of just using the Main.
I don’t know what size jib I have Leigh, it’s the original that came with the boat,made by Doyle but I also have a Doyle Genoa but I have not used it yet. I’ve just looked on the original purchase invoice but it just says jib.
Is there any way of knowing or measuring the percentage .
David also refers to luff pads - what are they ?
Roly, your IOW experience gives me a bit more confidence however I’m not quite sure what you mean re the adjustments to main sheet track. I presume you mean pulling in on the track so the boom is further windward but how does this allow the boom to lift if the kicker is sheeted in ?
The nice thing is that there’s still the 50hp on the back if all else fails
Thanks again for all your advice,
Regards
John
ASHANTI 26M
The base of the fore triangle on a Mac is 2.95m. Measure the foot of the jib. The length over 2.95 is the percentage. So if the foot is 2.95m , it’s a 100%. If it’s about 4.5m it’s a 150%. There are some 135% jibs out there. I have one on my US boat.
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
Luff pads. Because of the belly built into the jib, Simply rolling it around a rod would result in a very loose belly forming. So a pad of foam is sewn into the luff and shaped to ensure that the sail half way up the luff rolls up more ,thus keeping the sail in better shape during the furling process.
Leigh Ross
Crieff
0777 558-4561
1990 MacGregor 26S Ptarmigan
1992 MacGregor 26S Pelican
Hi John. In high winds gusty conditions kicker must bd released to allow boom to rise. By having the mainsheet block fully to windward the traction on thd boom is more tangential so less force pulling it down.
If you want to optimise sail shape and drive in lighter winds you want mainsheet block downwind and kicker on .
Roly
Thanks Roly,
I will try slackening the kicker and sheeting to windward - it makes sense.
Ive always been a bit unsure about the kicker, I thought it was mostly to restrict the boom on a run and like you say to keep the boom down when beating in light winds.
Yesterday, I had the kicker tight so that obviously didn’t help!!
Thanks again,
John
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