1st real sail for me......

[A-1 Boss]

We took my new to me 2011 Mac 26m out to Lake Mead for our first real sailing day. (only motored before this because no wind). Wind was blowing about 18 knots and we were having a great time just sailing with the mainsail. Then we decided to release the 150% Genoa. The wind grabbed it and yanked it out of my hands as we were trying to figure it out. Finally got it under control and tried sailing with it. I found the Genoa to be alot of work in these conditions and we didn't gain any real speed by having it out. I admit I'm still a very green beginner but have you-all had similar experiences with the Genoa? The fastest speed we reached under sail was about 6.5 knots. Would I be better off only releasing Genoa part of the way while wind was high? All in all it was really fun and my friend thought for sure we were going to the bottom of the lake when the boat keeled over. Looking forward to improving my skills this summer.

[budgates]

Two points to consider.

#1 A 150 % genoa is too much sail for 18 knots of wind. You'd be much better off with a 110 %. If the 150 % is the only headsail you have, and you can't reef it, you're better off with just the main alone.

#2 Although your boat will plane with a big motor, while you're sailing she basically becomes a displacement boat and won't go much faster than the theoretical hull speed of 6.5 knots. It wouldn't matter how much sail you had up your boat won't go any faster unless you have following seas. In fact it will likely sail slower and have less control with those conditions.

[Herschel]

In a steady 18 knot wind I am sailing with a reefed main and a partially reefed 110 jib. A full main and a full 150 Genoa would be too much sail for those conditions in my opinion.

[yukonbob]

Really depends on what you want to accomplish sailing with that much canvas out from now on if you reef or get a smaller headsail it'll all be downhill from that experience and now you know what the boat can do! 15-20 degrees will be no sweat! I'd call it a win and you seem to have enjoyed it. Now when you take a newb out you'll be looking to lay the boat flat and calmly look at him/her and say 'oh this is nothing'

[A-1 Boss]

Thanks for your advice and comments. We had a blast sailing in those conditions and we made it back after several hours still alive and boat still working so I guess we'll call it success. At about what wind speed would you guys break out the Genoa? And at what wind speed would you recommend rolling it up? FYI the boats I did the ASA 101 and 103 classes in were hunter 36 and the wind was very mild at Newport Beach, CA.

[Lee Ward]

Two points to consider.

#1 A 150 % genoa is too much sail for 18 knots of wind. You'd be much better off with a 110 %. If the 150 % is the only headsail you have, and you can't reef it, you're better off with just the main alone.

#2 Although your boat will plane with a big motor, while you're sailing she basically becomes a displacement boat and won't go much faster than the theoretical hull speed of 6.5 knots. It wouldn't matter how much sail you had up your boat won't go any faster unless you have following seas. In fact it will likely sail slower and have less control with those conditions.

I've seen 7.5 in similar conditions with a partially reefed 150 genny. I've seen others here post the same number. It's not comfortable, but possible. You did well at 6.5.

[A-1 Boss]

I forgot to mention. My 26m has the blue hull so should be a little faster...........

[March]

A-1 Boss wrote:

I forgot to mention. My 26m has the blue hull so should be a little faster...........

Faster than what?

[A-1 Boss]

It's an on going joke that the blue boats are faster than the white boats. Just a joke..

[sailboatmike]

The only ones that THINK the blue hulls are faster are blue hull owners, EVERYBODY else KNOWS white hulls are much faster.

I can honestly say I have never been outrun by a blue hull Mac

[March]

I've never seen a blue-hull Mac. They must be more apt to sinking: dark colors are heavier than white colors and that's a fack.

[Tomfoolery]

The only ones that THINK the blue hulls are faster are blue hull owners, EVERYBODY else KNOWS white hulls are much faster.

I can honestly say I have never been outrun by a blue hull Mac

I have, but he had a 75 hp on it, which beats my 50 hp any day.

[budgates]

The only ones that THINK the blue hulls are faster are blue hull owners, EVERYBODY else KNOWS white hulls are much faster.

I can honestly say I have never been outrun by a blue hull Mac

I have, but he had a 75 hp on it, which beats my 50 hp any day.

Yep, me too. I've been beaten really badly by a blue but then we were both motoring, He probably had about 75 HP compared to my 26D and 30 year old 10 HP.

[sailboatmike]

I have a 75hp on the back myself and I keep my boat light by Mac standards (no aircon etc.), not many in Australia have anything bigger than 60Hp

[Catigale]

The only ones that THINK the blue hulls are faster are blue hull owners, EVERYBODY else KNOWS white hulls are much faster.

I can honestly say I have never been outrun by a blue hull Mac

I have, but he had a 75 hp on it, which beats my 50 hp any day.

Even 75 Canadian HP??