[Rhodes22-list] Rail Meat Heeling (was Close Haul Question)

[Leland]

Rummy,

I'm starting to pick my sailing buddies based on their weight.  My
well-nourished friends might not appreciate reading that.  I wonder if
serious racers pick their crew size based on the day's wind.

I know you enjoy extreme sailing and may prefer exhiliration over speed, but
Stan and most others think the boat sails best flat.  As always it depends
on the conditions and point-of-sail, but in a reasonable wind I normally
don't start slowing down until about a 20 degree heel, which is enough to
spill my Mt. Gay & Coke Zero.  Extra sail area may compensate for a less
efficient hull heel.  A chubby crew on the leeward side in a light wind
might be the best way of determining optimal heel.

Here's another thing that shows I don't know what I'm talking about.  You
would think that the fastest speed would come from a balanced sail plan with
no hands or lock on the tiller and the tell-tales flowing perfect and the
heel just right.  That may be my favorite way to sail, but if I add more
sail, the extra power must again compensate for the lack of efficiency in
the sails and the extra drag from the rudder.  If I don't exceed 20 degrees
of heel, I can almost always get more speed with more sail.

I also wonder what's the fastest anyone has gotten their Rhodes to go.  My
GPS recorded 6.4 knots several times yesterday.  Since I had no head sail
out, I assume the speed had more to do with surfing the waves than wind
speed.  It was also the first time I appreciated a closed transom.  Even
with one I got a little wet.

Lee




R22RumRunner wrote:
> 
> Lee,
> It's hard to tell without being on the boat with you, but you tried  
> everything that has been discussed on this list for years.
> Under those conditions, I drop the pop top, lower the boom, leave the  
> centerboard down and bring the genny inside the shrouds. Since the R22
> gets most  of 
> it's power from the genny, I adjust my 175 as needed and even in extreme  
> conditions have reefed the main, but not before doing everything else. I'm
> going  
> to guess that I keep the genny at about 125 to 150, depending on
> conditions. 
> It  also helps to have some rail meet. Even an extra 100 lbs on the rail
> makes 
> a  huge difference with the R22.
> My R22 is equipped with the additional track inside the shrouds and I 
> always 
> use it to help maintain good sail shape.
>  
> Rummy
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 

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