New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: rounding up into wind without broaching
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

rounding up into wind without broaching
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
astevens View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 28 Oct 19
Location: ca
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Quote astevens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: rounding up into wind without broaching
    Posted: 28 Oct 19 at 2:24pm
I daysail a Catalina 25 in coastal California. When the wind is blowing 15 kts or more and I am going down wind on a broad reach and need to head back to port I am having a hard time rounding up into the wind without excessive heeling and the feeling that I am going to broach. Any tips or suggestions? 

I try to take it slow and head off on a beam reach for a little bit before rounding all the way up but it still doesn't feel very controlled. Swell doesn't make the maneuver any easier either. thanks
Back to Top
Steve Middleton View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 10 Oct 19
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Steve Middleton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Nov 19 at 8:29am
Couple of suggestions (although I'm not a keelboat sailor!)...first, have you got the correct amount of sail area up for your new course? Too much sail area up will make life difficult in that sort of breeze. Second, make sure you aren't rounding up with too much mainsheet pinned in as this can make the boat spin into the wind. Trim the sails in gradually as you head up, easing the main a bit if it starts to feel too overpowered.
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Nov 19 at 8:38am
Maybe a reef is needed. Otherwise, make sure you are pulling in the main just a fraction slower than the turn, so the front edge flaps a little, so you control the power.

Not sure this adds anything to the post above, maybe just says it in a different way.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
blueboy View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 27 Aug 10
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 512 		Post Options Post Options   Quote blueboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 19 at 10:09am
Originally posted by astevens

I daysail a Catalina 25 in coastal California. When the wind is blowing 15 kts or more and I am going down wind on a broad reach and need to head back to port I am having a hard time rounding up into the wind without excessive heeling and the feeling that I am going to broach. Any tips or suggestions? 

When you say "excessive heeling", is this more than when you are actually sailing upwind? It sounds like you are not actually broaching. If you are just transitioning to the heel you experience upwind, there is nothing to be concerned about and to be honest, 15 knots isn't that much in a keelboat.

If I were helming a keelboat around a leeward mark in 15 knots, before the mark I will pull on kicker (vang) for upwind. I'd put something around 5-8 degrees helm down and bring in the main quickly as we turn, slightly overtrimmed. The boat will heel and that and the main will turn it to upwind quite quickly. Crew is simultaneously trimming in the jib in time with the turn. I'd be completing the transition to upwind quite quickly, maybe 3-4 seconds. Don't dither. Sails trimmed hard in but course not yet close hauled will result in too much heel and possibly rounding up (stalling the rudder). You aren't going to actually broach (boat lying on its side) because the rounding up will quickly depower the sails and bring you upright.

If I was doing the same in 25 knots it would be much the same but I would not be putting on kicker (vang) for upwind until I'm sailing upwind.

If I was doing the same in 30 knots, I'd have the main eased a bit as we turn and use more rudder.

Hope that helps.





Edited by blueboy - 07 Nov 19 at 10:13am
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy