Downwind sailing

[Suncat Trekka]

Is the sail suppose to touch the shrouds while sailing 180 degrees from the wind (downwind)?

[curtis]

Is the sail suppose to touch the shrouds while sailing 180 degrees from the wind (downwind)?

If the sail touches the spreaders that's fine but if the sail is let out so far that it is on the spreader tips and shrouds you'll start to chafe the sail.  You can do that but you'll wear your sail more than you would if you kept the sail trimmed back a little.  If you have a boom vang use it thhod the boom down, but don't crank down too hard on the boom vang when downwind sailing.  Holding the boom down will let the lower part of the sail out further before the top of the sail is on the spreader tips.

Curtis

[HORI]

I agree, Sail can touch the shroud but starts chafe the sail. So it may be trimmed back little bit. However, it is little tough for Suncat to go down to 180 deg from the wind. Suncat does not have boom vang, originally then cannot hold boom down. And wind blow and surge makes boom struggled up and down. Finally it may be cause to have accidentally jibing. I really like the simple rig and do not want to install boom vang for now. So I usually avoid to go for dead run, hah hah.
How about weather helm? How do you usually manage weather helm on down wind? Suncat has a kind of big gaff rigged sail on one side when running off the wind. Then over 20 knots weather helm becomes so strong. I usually control that by lifting/adjusting center board. Many of catboat owners are doing the same but I am still not sure. Is there better way?

[mgoller]

Sure it can and will touch the shrouds.  If you trim back so far as to be off the shrouds you are tempting an accidental Jibe.  I like the feel of a broad run, say 10 degrees off the winds direction.  Gives better speed, more control and less banging around.  The only time I sail a dead run is if I have to for some reason, or if I have the spinnaker up.
In low winds the boat will usually outpace the wind for a moment and the mainsail starts blowing back and then the wind catches it again - poof! 
Trim it in just a little and bear up a tad, you'll be more comfortable.

[Rick Klages]

The main sheet should still be taking the load from the sail.  Just because the sail is on the shrouds don't slack the main sheet!  You can stress your mast into unnatural shapes as well as damage your sails and standing rigging.

ick

[multimedia_smith]

I agree with Marcus... it's much more fun to "shave off" a broad reach slightly off direct downwind.  If I do need to go straight downwind... I usually put the wisker pole out on the 155 genoa and wing the main onto the other side.  I let it out 'till the boom almost touches the stays and I sit on the Main side to keep the weight of the boom holding it on that side.  Or... I flake the jib and main and raise the spinnaker.  Either way... the main will shadow the headsail... you pretty much have to put the headsail on the opposite side or flake the main.  That's for direct downwind though... for a broad reach... I put the wisker pole out and on the same side as the main... the boat really hauls on that tack.
Enjoy
Dale

[curtisv]

Yep - whisker pole makes a big difference on a braod reach and can make a huge difference running.  Nothing worse than a headsail that won't stay set downwind in light wind and waves.
I use a 7-12 foot extendable pole on my CP23.  About $200 and well worth it - might be a bit overkill but it sure won't be bending in strong conditions.

Curtis

[tmorgan]

If you move the mainsheet block all the way on its track to the side of the boat the boom is on, it provides a better angle to pull down on the sail and flatten it out.  Pulling the gaff up all the way, flattens the sail as well.  I've been able to sail in fairly strong winds and still kept the sail off of the shrouds.  As others have said, I prefer a broad reach as well. 

[curtisv]

Oh yeah - and for downwind sailing get a boom vang.  But don't crank it down sailing to windward and then bear away without giving a little slack - in the extreme it can be bad for the mast.

I forgot to mention the boom vang.  It makes a big difference.  Without one the sail rides up.

If you rig a preventer (you should add deck hardware for this though a stancion base is close to being OK on a CP23 which is what I use) then it will also pull the boom down.  This is mainly useful if you don't have a boom vang.  Be carefull rigging a preventer though.  I reused a too small eyestrap that was riveted in and had the rivets pull out.  I knew it was suspect so I wasn't surprised when it happenned.  I now have a boom bail with a 5/16 bolt through the boom - the boom will break before the bail.

Needless to say my CP23 doesn't have a gaff.  I'm not sure the gaff rigged cats would take a boom vang easily but a preventer should work.  On the CP23 it is handy when single handing and leaving the tiller to put up the whisker pole but again on a catboat that doesn't apply.

Curtis

[multimedia_smith]

http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=30

[curtisv]

http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=30

Dale,

Great photos as always.  It shows when a pro puts together a graphics display.

btw- The recommended angle for a boom vang is 45 degrees.  Its not critical but that minimizes the load on boom and mast attachments.

Curtis

[roland cobine]

 straight downwind i roll in the jib and set the main. seems like if i dont i spend a lot of time watching the jib flap. but im with the concensus that sailing off a few degrees is best.

[curtisv]

Roland,

Sailing wing and wing is very relaxing if you can ge the headsail to fill and stay filled.  That can be tough if you are sailing beam to the waves after a wind shift and the wind is light.

Having a whisker pole makes it a lot easier to keep the headsail from collapsing.  It even helps on a broad reach.

Keeping both sails set does a much better job of keeping the boat moving at a reasonable speed in light to moderate air than either sail alone.

Curtis

[roland cobine]

  my boat came with a whisker pole but i have never used one in the past. I'll be sure to try it this spring.