I tried something similar a couple years ago with my M17, to heave to on main (before getting the furling jib). Sailed close to but not hard on the wind; sheet out just a bit so not getting full drive from main; set tiller a little leeward. Left to herself she would head up gently from the slight tiller angle; start to stall out and luff a bit; fall off naturally as she lost way; catch a bit of breeze in the main again, get enough way for the lee tiller to kick in again - repeat...repeat...repeat... So I was able to go forward and change the headsail while she scalloped gently forward and leeward. Wasn't 20 knots though, more like 12, so I had more mainsail deployed (just the flattening reef in). I imagine but can't say for sure that she'd do the same in higher wind with reefed main. cheers, John On 6/3/19 5:09 AM, Michael Murphy wrote:
I've found that my M-15 rode pretty good in 20 knots hove-to with a double-reefed main and the tiller tied a little to leeward. Kept the mail flat and centered. In those conditions I always go forward with a tether and on my hands and knees. My 60% intermediate jib has its own set of sheets so I could get them set up before going forward. I tried a "storm sail" of much smaller size but with a double-reef in the main and a small jib, the center of effort was moved forward so there was a little lee helm. Additionally the tiny jib provided so little lift that I preferred to sail with the mail alone. At least that eliminated the lee-helm.
On Sun, Jun 2, 2019 at 4:39 AM Rusty Knorr via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Soooo, we got our butts kicked today on Puget Sound. Coming from a Flicka, I’m still learning to sail these little boats, and finding out their capabilities. I know, I’ve read all the accounts, heard all the stories, but we had two M-15s out singlehanding in steady 15 to maybe 20 knot gusts, with reefed mains and working jibs, and close hauled were on the verge of being overpowered to the point of losing control. I know all the tricks about keeping the sails flat, etc. but I tell you, I was out of my comfort zone. So my question is, how do you change out to a smaller headsail in 2’ to 3’ waves when you are overpowered? I have a downhaul and got the jib down no problem, but I wasn’t about to let go of the tiller and go forward in that, no way. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Don’t tell me to start the day with a smaller jib, it was forecast for 5 to 10 and went from ghosting to overpowered in less than a minute. I did learn, despite everyone saying to the contrary, that at least MY boat sails just fine with only a reefed main and no jib. I wish I had two reefs though, it would have been much more comfortable today. M-15 sailors with experience, share your advice! I’ll pop this on the Facebook group too.
Thank you,
Rusty M-15 “Vanilla”
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