[C320-list] When do you reef?

[Karl Mielenhausen _/)]

Kevin,

Just my opinion, but here is what I have found to be a good balance  
between comfort and the performance a racer might be looking for.....

Going to weather, the boat sails best when heeled between 15-20 degrees.  
Sailing with the mainsail and 135% genoa, I find it best to reef the main  
at about 16 kts apparent, perhaps pushing to 18 kts but only if there are  
no gusts. Sea state is a factor also. Here we are usually quickly dealing  
with a 3 foot chop with true wind speeds in the 14-18 kts range. Dropping  
the traveler is a very effective way to depower this boat in the gusts or  
in a steady blow above 16 kts which we might do if we don't think it will  
"last". At 20 kts we start reefing the genoa. By about 22 kts apparent,  
you probably will want to put in a second reef in the main (if you have  
one) or drop it (in my case).

The list archives also had a past discussion on this topic, which I have  
captured here....
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/C320Docs/SailTrimNotes.doc

Cheers,
Karl



On Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:42:55 -0400, Kevin <onedrop7 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> Hi All,
>
> I got my 320 in the late fall and she's been on the hard through the  
> winter so I still have lots to learn about her.
>
> Just wondering...at what wind speed do you reef? The 320 sails best with  
> minimal heel, correct? Do you ever start by lessening the sail area of  
> your genny before putting in a reef?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Kevin
> #211
>
>
>
>



-- 
Karl Mielenhausen
Catalina 320 Hull 690
New Bern, NC

Join us August 7-9, 2009 at Marina Del Rey, CA for our annual Catalina  
320IA Regatta and Annual Meeting.