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I'm just about to begin my third season sailing my X on lake Windermere in Cumbria,UK.
Last two seasons have been great learning 'trial and error' mostly single handed and have not really had any heart stopping moments as a newbie. However the times I have been on the water have presented only 8 to 10 MPH winds which is very forgiving in respect of me making any mistakes and there are no waves to speak of apart from when the local pleasure ferry passes by and I turn into it's wash for the fun of it!

Now i'm going for my biggie!

The projected winds on the lake next week are 15-20 MPH with gusts. My questions are, how would the boat behave in these winds, should I start out on the jib only or main only and proggress from there or should I begin with full sails,should I put a reef in to start with? (I WILL wear a life vest as always)

I know I will be sailing with confidence in the safety factors of the X, IE self righting and the usual amount of weather helm but I'm certainly not over confident hence any advice,tips from you more seasoned mariners would be greatly appreciated.

Phil Kelly.

Hi Phil

I think most alarming conditions occur when we encounter new situations.
If you mentally, and actually rehearse a few of these, we're prepared.

One of these for new sailor's is concern about excessive heeling. Just remember that these boats stiffen up as they heel, and many of us have had them to 45 degrees or more and sailed them that way.

I would practice heading into the wind while tacking, then back again. When you get a puff head more upwind, and when it dies point away again.

I would practice gybing, and preventing accidental gybes. I don't know how the X sailors do it ? I use the traveller , pulling the boom to center and tightening it, then slowly releasing it as we pass thru the center. maybe the X sailor's can give advice here ?

They're many more, but this is a start.

Ditto what everybody said.
In short, you might get a little damp from seaspray but you'll be fine.

The cardinal rule for reefing is, if you're wondering if you should reef, then you already should have. Just do it. Easier to increase sail area than reduce.

The boat does not tack well if rigged jib only. With a reefed main & a standard jib, NOT gennie she's more balanced and I think you'll be surprised how well she sails.

My biggest word of caution is pay good attention if you gybe... this is not a fun thing to do in good wind. Use control through the process... sheet in slowly, then back out again rather than allowing a home run swing from the boom.

You also should favor a broad reach over a true run... much better point of sail for this boat, which tends to have a lot of weather helm. I learned the term "death roll" on a run at about 22 kts.... forces build on the steering then you kind of spin into the wind uncontrollably and say 'How'd that happen?" so.. downwind, use a broad reach.

Hi Phil,
(again I'll mention, I owned an X boat for several years)

Sailing the X in higher breezes.
IMHO, if you're not sure, try your jib and reef the main. I don't think the X sails very well with either sail alone (again JMHO). It's my experience that sailing with only the full main and no headsl, you just went slower and heeled the same and couldn't point.

If the thought of reefing crosses your mind (as in "Maybe I should reef") , then reef. It's a lot easier to shake the reef out if the breeze calms than trying to put it in when things are getting out of hand. If you have your Genoa up front and you feel it's getting a little dicey, then by all means, drop it and hoist your smaller sail. You'll be able to control the boat with more ease and still have fun. When feeling comfortable you can always add sail area.

15mph breezes aren't bad with an X with main and Genny flying. For me, at least, 20mph steady would have me thinking about reducing sail area. And then if it is gusty, well, things can be upset quickly. But still, don't put off reefing on my account.

All of this may sound conservative to some. I read about guys in 25mph wind with spinnakers and full main and such things all the time. My chief sailing grounds are quite flukey and can change in a moment, so this may be why. I know I seem to have an easier time in higher winds out @ the coast (when I can go there) than at Lake Mead.

In any case, when you're new at it............. or even when you're like me (been sailing for years but don't get much time to do so) best to play safe, don't scare the Misses or worse, don't scare yourself either.
Steve K.
26-D "Three Sheets"

As we deal with vastly differing winds here in Colorado, I have learned to reef early. My X seems to like and perform best at winds around 12 MPH with full sails. When it gets above 15 I reef, as it gusts to 25 rapidly. Just my experience. When it gets beyond 30 MPH I go barepole and let the motor to weather it.
Terry

These work for me on my 2001 X, bot new in late fall 2000.
1.Windy today? Reef main before going out, shake out the reef on the water if winds drop enuf.....safer,easier.
2.Boat likes to sail with < 20 degrees heel, so limit sail area accordingly.
3.Adjust CB line to balance centered helm against a given sail combo, like on a CB dinghy, less CB line out broad reaching.
4.Good combos going to windward....
Light winds use full main and working jib or drifter, or medium winds use main or reefed main with working or storm jib, all balanced by CB line 7/8 or all out.......
Or for medium winds, no headsail, main balanced by CB line 3/8 out, but this is less close winded....
Stronger winds, no headsail, reefed main, CB line 3/8 out, light up the iron jib......
Ron