1st sail, first impressions

[gyroplanes]

Had our new out and under sail for the first time yesterday. Wind was 6-10 knots, waves less than 1 foot. I sailed under main alone for a few minutes.

I was surprised how close to the wind I could sail in this configuration. I could not get the boat into a broad reach or a run under full main alone. Despite full rudder application, I could not get beyond a beam reach.

Under full main and full Genoa (120%?) The boat handled well on all points of sail. I had some difficulty running wing & wing, but it could have been my ham handed application of the wheel .

I miss the tiller and it's feedback (MAC25) the wheel seemed to have enough friction (no motor disconnect) to hold a heading. I did get a piece of SS linkage with the boat, I'll have to look around the motor linkage area and see if it fits.

I was overall impressed. The boat seems to hit a heel angle and stay there no matter what point of sail I chose, She seems to respond to the helm well and had no signs of weatherhelm at all. I will say that my mast has quite a rearward bow. The rear stay has a lever and I have it tight and latched. Maybe the lever shoud be open until situations warrant a bowed mast. This surely contributed to the humming I heard (see other thread) A good time was had by all. (see video at link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbhb3YsFxV8

[Gerry the fish]

Glad you had fun.

LOVE the video of you guys with the dog. I have a boxer and a lab that I would love to bring along but they are all puppy (at 6 years old) and fear a disaster.

I have an M so cant help with your fine tuning - but fair winds.

Gerry

[gyroplanes]

Thanks for the reply. I sure was hoping someone would agree, or disagree with my first impressions. I can't wait to get to know this boat better.

Sailing with Ace.

Ace is my daughter Amy's dog, Amy loves to sail and was worried that Ace would not like a moving platform under him. We planned our approach to introducing Ace to the boat and how we would lure him aboard.

When we got to the slip and were about to try our scheme, Ace walked out ahead and jumped aboard.

On his first sail he stared out at the featureless horizon for many minutes. He seems rocked-to-sleep on most occasions and makes himself comfortable.

His only complaint would be the lack of traction between claws and gelcoat.

[tompolak]

Looks like a really nice sail.
I am sailing a little north of you on Lake Michigan out of Racine, Wi (cheap slip). I think that the only thing you will find with the X is the "breaks" get applied when you go over bigger waves. It there is enough wind you can just almost plow through them, but with the light wind we have had lately, you really feel the boat slow down. Get a bigger wheel if yours does not have one. I ordered one about 3 weeks ago and boy does it make a difference. http://www.kellyhansonmarine.com/apps/w ... how/116649 The 20" wheel makes a world of difference on control (and being able to comfortably stand up and steer).

[JustSail]

As far as not being able sail lower than a beam reach...

It sounds like you had your main oversheeted. I personally find the rudders on the Mac to be marginally adequate and easily overpowered by sail trim. Easing the main or rollout out the jib would have better balanced the boat and let you put it on any point of sail.

[gyroplanes]

As far as not being able sail lower than a beam reach...

It sounds like you had your main oversheeted. I personally find the rudders on the Mac to be marginally adequate and easily overpowered by sail trim. Easing the main or rollout out the jib would have better balanced the boat and let you put it on any point of sail.

"Oversheeted" means too much sail area?

I assumed the balance was upset by the area of pressure aft of the centerboard sailing under main alone. I never expect to not be able to sail downwind or even jibe.

I have been sailing, on and off, for 50 years (mostly off, for the last 10) some of the sailing terminology is tucked away among the dead brain cells.
Thanks, I really appreciate the replies.

[gyroplanes]

Looks like a really nice sail.
I am sailing a little north of you on Lake Michigan out of Racine, Wi (cheap slip). I think that the only thing you will find with the X is the "breaks" get applied when you go over bigger waves. It there is enough wind you can just almost plow through them, but with the light wind we have had lately, you really feel the boat slow down. Get a bigger wheel if yours does not have one. I ordered one about 3 weeks ago and boy does it make a difference. http://www.kellyhansonmarine.com/apps/w ... how/116649 The 20" wheel makes a world of difference on control (and being able to comfortably stand up and steer).

I bought my from a guy in Dixon, IL. not too far from you.

My has a larger than stock wheel, though I don't know how much larger. I too am "larger than stock" and have enough trouble moving about the cockpit already. I liked the feel of my helm with full Genoa and main.

I sail out of the Hammond Marina (near the Indiana state line) May sail to Door County after I make a few local passages and become better acquanited with my .

Thank you for the reply... it help to learn these things.

[JustSail]

"Oversheeted" means too much sail area?

By oversheeted I meant you pulled in the mainsheet too far. When in doubt, let it out.

You are correct about having too much pressure aft of the centerboard, but you can mitigate that by easing the sheet and spilling wind.

[rwmiller56]

Nice video. It looks like the conditions were fairly light. Here on SF Bay, we have to deal with a 20-30 kt wind on almost a daily basis in the summer, and it gets old after awhile.
I have sailed my under mainsail alone, and we were able to broad reach and run. So I suspect that your mainsail was oversheeted, as another poster had indicated.

[baldbaby2000]

If you're having trouble getting the boat to head downwind even with the sheet out you might try pulling up most of the center board.