When do you Reef?

[Interim]

We're planning to take our new 26S out on Sunday for the first time, and it looks like winds will be 13-14 knots. Our previous boat was a 17' dinghy, so we get edgy around those speeds.

Does the 26s do well in those winds? Do I need to reef?

--john

[Obelix]

Remember the "Golden Rule": The correct time to reef is when you first start wondering if you should.
Depending on the environmental conditions in your sailing- grounds and on your personal comfort-zone, 13-14knt's may be OK or borderline for you. The boat can handle it.

Obelix

[Interim]

"borderline" is a key word. It always seems easier to shake out the reefs on the water than to reduce sail while getting knocked around.

We might start with them in.

Thanks.

--john

[Tomfoolery]

We might start with them in.

That would have been my suggestion, especially if you're new to sailing, OR if you're new to the boat (or the boat is new to you ). Low and slow sailing is fine, and you can always shake it out if conditions and comfort level are compatible. Trim the head sail to balance the rig, if it's on a furler. Use the working jib, assuming you have it, if you don't.

Does the 26s do well in those winds?

AFAIK, the S and D 26 footers are the best-sailing boats out of the Mac factory (short of the 60-70 footers), and are very fast under sail. I don't have one, but I would think winds like that are mother's milk to those boats.

[Russ]

We might start with them in.

Yup, if in doubt, reef and shake them out once you are out there.

For me, I don't enjoy high winds, so I stay home if it's that bad.

[grady]

We're planning to take our new 26S out on Sunday for the first time, and it looks like winds will be 13-14 knots. Our previous boat was a 17' dinghy, so we get edgy around those speeds.

Does the 26s do well in those winds? Do I need to reef?

--john

For max performance NO. That is this boats sweet spot with full main and 100% jib. You will need to depower the main in the puffs. If you looking to be more comfortable then yes. My rule of thumb for being powered up, Genny up to 12, 12 to 18 full main and jib, 18 to 25 first reef, 25+ drink beer at the docks. Last sunday race I did we had full main and jib wind picked up, some gust probably past 30 at times we had full back stay and mail let out where it was just flogging and we still were being drug through the water with it felt like 45 deg leeway.

[Loala]

Exactly like Grady says. It's all about feel.

You are going to feel like it is a handful and just too much work to enjoy. Remember sails spill wind for speed & comfort. When you feel that you aren't spilling enough wind to achieve your desired comfort level then reef. You will then feel you have a little more control of the boat and you won't feel like you're fighting it all the time. Don't worry about speed. That will come with time and experience.

Make sense?

[dlandersson]

Here, here. I'm really bad about this.

Remember the "Golden Rule": The correct time to reef is when you first start wondering if you should.
Depending on the environmental conditions in your sailing- grounds and on your personal comfort-zone, 13-14knt's may be OK or borderline for you. The boat can handle it.

Obelix

[Ixneigh]

I had the hank on jib and two reefs in the main. The course was to weather in 18 k of wind. The boat was moving at 4.8 knots. Prior to that I had a single reef, was sailing on the side, and wasn't going any faster.
Ix

[Be Free]

I had the hank on jib and two reefs in the main. The course was to weather in 18 k of wind. The boat was moving at 4.8 knots. Prior to that I had a single reef, was sailing on the side, and wasn't going any faster.
Ix

I could not believe how much of a difference it made the first time I reefed my X. I went from 30 degrees of heel and constantly having fight to keep from rounding up to a comfortable 15 degrees, no stress and I was actually going a little faster.

[Tomfoolery]

Well, FWIW, the fastest I ever had my Hunter going was in a good breeze, reefed all the way (2nd reef point), and the working jib reefed to balance. Had it going a little over hull speed (about 7.3 kts theoretical), and it wasn't a one-time thing. Much more enjoyable than fighting and bracing against excessive heel, too.

[Be Free]

I almost hate to admit it, but the reason I reefed that day was because I saw a Hunter on the other side of the river who had already reefed and was going significantly faster than I was. He was already on the trailer when I pulled up to the dock and I asked him how much wind he had measured in the squall we had both been in. He said the anemometer was steady in the 40's just before it pegged out and blew off it's mount.

[Interim]

I should have said more in my first post. I'm not new to sailing. We have an O'Day 17', which is a dinghy with a planing hull. But I have a nervous crew, and since this boat is new to us and this would have been our first time out on it, I didn't want reinforce the jitters.

Unfortunately, on the way to the lake yesterday we lost a trailer wheel and the hub is ruined. Along with sailing for the day. We're hoping to get it back in shape by the coming weekend, but I have some trepedations about it because July 4th tends to bring out the less experienced boaters.

--john

[Obelix]

@Interim - You are correct, on days like this we stay off the water as well. To many drunks with to much power showing off, make it no fun!

Obelix