Downwind sailing

Post by **Julian Porter** » Mon Jul 05, 2021 7:34 pm

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

Post by **Malcolm Sadler** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 8:59 am

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

Post by **bellalistair** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:46 pm

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

Post by **erbster** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 11:29 pm

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.

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Post by **Julian Porter** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:27 am

Do you carry a pole to hold out the staysail?

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Post by **erbster** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:57 pm

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/

Post by **Julian Porter** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:40 am

Where do you clip it onto the boat?

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Post by **Dennis** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:35 pm

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

Post by **Julian Porter** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:54 pm

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

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Post by **Dennis** » Tue Jul 13, 2021 2:04 pm

Julian Porter wrote: Where did you get the bands made?

Classic Marine.

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