I was in "Sailfest 2006" on Lake Superior today.... The race started out rainy, (I got a PHRF of 233)... The first part of the race was light winds(and downwind) and we held our spot, getting passed by only 3 other boats...
As we rounded Basswood Island the weather cleared and the wind built up. Prior to that wind was 10-15... Now it was hitting 25-30. We (2 of us) changed to the stock jib (from a 155) and reefed the main... Still too much sail! So we dropped the jib, now we couldn't make any headway (according to the GPS)... OK, drop the main, just use the jib (big waves with a short distance between each)... That didn't work either...
OK, I raised the jib and reefed main again... Now I could sail, but the rails nearly in the water... Suddenly the steering (2000X) starts to slip! (Later found figured out that the bolts were loose).... The fun light went out... We ended up getting "1st in motoring division" and finished the last 4 miles with the motor...
OK, what the best combination? My other 26X (1995) had a storm jib and I remember that working well... What else should I put in the air? I'm open to suggestions...
Thanks,
JR
What works?
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JRonUnderSail
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 7:21 pm
- Location: Lake Pepin this year! w/ 26X#3499
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Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
- Admiral
- Posts: 2043
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000
Hey JR, not sure what change you made between the first time you had stock jib and reefed main to the second time when you were able to sail?
My guess is that the stock main reef is about right for 25-30...and it is not much fun being out in winds stronger than that with our Macs. As you point out, it is the stock jib that starts getting too big over 25 (although it is great from 15-25). You would need to have a custom storm jib (the blade if you will) made by a sail loft. Maybe not too expensive since there would not be very much material in it. The 26X does not sail properly in high winds with main alone so you have to put out a patch of headsail to maintain balance. I usually just put out a little bit of the jib (could do the same with a furled genny perhaps, but don't let that sucker get away from you and open up) as well as pulling my CB up to about 45 degrees. With a well cut blade instead, you should have far better performance and less heeling than roller reefing a stock headsail. In reality though, you are probably not racing in that much wind much of the time. But hey, if you want to race, then you needs lots of sails...
One of my bolts came out of my stock steering box a couple years ago with the other 3 loose. I almost lost my steering in heavy wind/wave conditions. I greased the rack and tightened up all the bolts and it has been working like a champ ever since.
My guess is that the stock main reef is about right for 25-30...and it is not much fun being out in winds stronger than that with our Macs. As you point out, it is the stock jib that starts getting too big over 25 (although it is great from 15-25). You would need to have a custom storm jib (the blade if you will) made by a sail loft. Maybe not too expensive since there would not be very much material in it. The 26X does not sail properly in high winds with main alone so you have to put out a patch of headsail to maintain balance. I usually just put out a little bit of the jib (could do the same with a furled genny perhaps, but don't let that sucker get away from you and open up) as well as pulling my CB up to about 45 degrees. With a well cut blade instead, you should have far better performance and less heeling than roller reefing a stock headsail. In reality though, you are probably not racing in that much wind much of the time. But hey, if you want to race, then you needs lots of sails...
One of my bolts came out of my stock steering box a couple years ago with the other 3 loose. I almost lost my steering in heavy wind/wave conditions. I greased the rack and tightened up all the bolts and it has been working like a champ ever since.
