Downwind sailing

[Julian Porter]

With the wind directly behind is it better to do a series of reaches and gybes or to run directly downwind

[Malcolm Sadler]

Hello Julian

I recall a PBO article a while back which advocated the reach and gybe alternative. That’s probably particularly so for a cutter as both foresails can work - unless the wind is so strong you are running with reefed main and staysail only, a la video of Dennis in the Solent travelling at speed.

Fair winds for the rest of your trip

Malcolm

[bellalistair]

I can't help with a answer to which is best but I always like to goosewing when the water is calm enough for it to be stable, The staysail when everything is set right helps with keeping the genoa stable and preventing any hiccups from collapsing it completely. It adds something to an otherwise fairly sedate point of sail, steering a careful course based on the wind to keep everything happy.

Alistair

[erbster]

I agree with Alistair about goose winging. I often find that the swell will often rob the sails of drive downwind. With a gaffer, it is much easier to sail dead down; a Bermudan rig is much more likely to five involuntarily. I don’t know if it’s faster, but in light/moderate winds, I prefer reach and gybe strategy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Julian Porter]

Do you carry a pole to hold out the staysail?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[erbster]

Dennis has a pole made from two spinnaker attachments and a length of dowel. It’s been on my list to make one, but I’ve never got round to it.

https://www.sea-sure.co.uk/spinnaker-po ... antid=1215

https://www.classic-marine.co.uk/produc ... ook-stave/

[Julian Porter]

Where do you clip it onto the boat?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dennis]

Hello Julian

I have a mastband for the boom gooseneck fitting. The mastband clamps around the mast and is connected with M6 screws and nuts. I have substituted eyenuts for the ordinary nuts. The pole (with identical fittings at each end) simply clips onto one of the eyenuts.

IMG_3275.jpg

IMG_3583.jpg

[Julian Porter]

I didn’t realise you had raised your gooseneck. It certainly is a nice modification. Where did you get the bands made?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dennis]

Where did you get the bands made?

Classic Marine.