MAC High Speeds!!!

[Ron]

I find that in 15-20 kt winds it is easy to do 5 mph (measured by GPS with neglible current). This weekend I was with the in-laws who don't like tipping etc. so I only had the jib out 50% and had the main set loose, yet still did 5 mph. Even with sloppy sailing you can easily do 5 mph.

The fastest I've gone is about 6.5 mph under sail. I've only had the boat for 1.5 years, maybe with practice and sailing in stronger winds I'll attain higher speeds. Also, there are diminishing returns, beyond about 6 mph I need to do a lot of sail adjustments trying to get the highest speed.

[delevi]

Basically, sailing by the lee is jibing the stern across the wind, but leaving the boom to windward (not performing the jibe), while also avoid backwinding the main. The result leaves the wind blowing into the main at an extremely narrow angle, while it can also completely fill the Genoa from almost 90 degrees-direct. The dinghy racers use it as a tactic. If I was any good with the drawing software I'd attach a drawing to explain for those who are unaware, as I was. Maybe I can find a diagram using Google.

Frank,
Since you're on a broad reach and not a run, what is the benefit of the sails winged? Perhaps the pictures are misleading, but that boat appears to be on a tack that would not blanket the headsail. Are we talking within a few degrees of DDW?

[Frank C]

Wing on by the lee, DDW, spinnaker, no pole. FYI, LOL

Leon,
I'm no expert on sailing by the lee, just explaining what they taught in the class .... and Scott's photo is even better than my drawing. By the lee is effective for running within a few degrees to either side of DDW (guess my drawing shows broad reaching for exaggerated clarity). It appears that Scott was within 8 degrees of DDW? ... in any sort of seaway, it's pretty hard to maintain a DW heading any closer than +/- ten deg, say from 170 to 190?

Rather than avoiding blanketing by the main, it seems the objective is to maximize your odds for keeping the headsail full by holding it nearly perpendicular to the wind. Since the mainsail is on a boom it's easier to keep the main working at ~45 degrees to the wind, assuming that one has "prevented" it from crossing the wind.

As Maddmike & Nightsailor wrote above, you can also just center the main if a following sea is moving the boat's stern so far that you're in constant risk of a jibe, or just can't keep the main working. I think the primary objective when sailing by the lee is to keep the headsail (spi or Genoa) perpendicular to the wind, making it easier to keep it full.

[delevi]

Makes sense. We should have tried that last Friday to clear Treasure Isl. Turned out we didn't need to but would have been interesting to see if there would be a difference in speed.