Chrysler Sailors Forum

Well, wife and I just got back from a morning sail on our 78 C22. We are still relative newbies and still learning the ropes. The wind was gusting to about 14 or maybe 16. I had only the main sail up, no reef. My question is about the heeling on the C22. How far is normal in gusty conditions, and how far have you guys pushed it? I know some heeling is normal, but how far can you go?

We are enjoying the Chrysler so far.

Thanks,
Carl

Hey Carl,
I dont' have a C22, but a general rule would be to not go much further than the toerail in the water. Any more than that and it would not only get uncomfortable, but the efficiency of your sails would go way down. If you have a traveler, move it to leward and it should stand you up significantly, and reduce the weather helm.
If it is gusty, keep control of your main sheet, and sheet out a bit on the gusts, then back in afterward to keep your speed up.
Alternatively, if you are close hauled, pinch a bit in the gusts, and fall off again afterward.

I sail alot on my friends modified Olson 30, and it has an oversized mainsail that can't be reefed. We always sail with main and a 100% jib. So the technique we use in strong winds is to sheet the jib in really tight, but let the main out a bit more than optimal. This allows the air coming off the jib to backwind the main, and depower it. We also keep the traveler all the way to leward. On that boat though, we usually have the stanchions in the water.

--R

Thanks Alan and Kokezaru,

That does help. I will try moving the traveler leeward next time and adjusting sail trim more. We were a long way from having the toe rail go under today, but when a big gust hits and the boat leans way over the wife starts to panic and dance around. Takes some getting used to!

Thanks!

Carl

Keep in mind that most boats can handle way more than the crew can.
I have photos of Alan and Honu sailing nicely! I to was out with Alan on my own 22 taking many photos. Speaking of which, Alan, how can I get a CD to you with some GREAT photos of you? Maybe Sunday I'll call ya and deliver them.

Sailing with a toe rail getting wet is very normal and fine. My bride is extremely conservative and does not like it however your C22 in decent condition is more than capable of dragging the rails in the water.


Be respectfull of your bride if you wish to keep sailing with her. fall off a bit. Loosen the main a bit. Sail a bit flatter. Keep her aboard! LOL! Far more fun than sailing alone!

I once sold a perfectly wonderfull 28' race boat I owned outright so I could purchase a slow cruiser. Yes I lost a ton of performance however I gained a sailing parterner. My bride! I'll never dip a toe rail with her aboard. I prefer sailing with her than without.

Ok, I've had some wine so off I go . . . .

Scott

By myself I spend a lot of time with the rail in the water but with the wife I try to keep it dry, also the boat will need a lot of rudder input to fight the hulls tendency to head up when it starts to heel to much so the flatter you can keep it the less energy you will spend holding course. If the wind is going to be over 15 I usually go ahead and reef the main before going out.