Yeah, that is exactly what I do, as luffing the main much definitely does exactly what you say. The jib fills more and you heel quite a bit as the boat falls off. Combine that with waves on the broadside, and it makes for some exciting sailing. My lunch kept falling off the seat! Daniel On Jul 5, 2012, at 5:06 PM, W David Scobie wrote:
luffing the main on the M15 is really bad as the mast rotates forward and bags the jib (because there is no backstay). this results in really poor windward ability and you can actually heel more as the jib bags on the now loose forestay.
my habit was to luff the main as little as possible and 'pinch' into the wind to de-power the rig. takes some practice, but is very effective. Stan 'paintboy' Susman is REALLY good at doing this ... which he needs to be as he installs those oversized square-topped main sails on his boats.
:: Dave Scobie
--- On Thu, 7/5/12, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
OK, very useful. I figured as much. The boat has so much weather helm with 1 reef and the working jib, that I can imagine no chance of beating to windward on main alone. Fair enough. I too was luffing the main through the gusts.
So, I'll get the other reef point made. I can't imagine being out on purpose in 25 kts in my M15. But, it pays to be prepared.
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com
On Jul 5, 2012, at 4:53 PM, W David Scobie wrote:
sailing the M15 i recommend you go to a double reef main about 18(ish) knots. about(ish) 25kts go to a storm jib. all of this has to do with each captain's, crew's and/or admiral's personal comfort level.
the M15 doesn't sail well at all under main or jib alone.
on my M15 i got caught out in a 20 knot blow going against the tide. 3'+ seas and gusty wind. tried to sail off a lee shore (not really in danger, but wanted to go to a secure harbor that was up wind)). the boat needed a second reef as i was constantly luffing the main through the gusts. i was new to the M15 at the time and tried sailing main alone. i didn't loose ground, but gained none tacking back and forth. i then switched to jib alone ... not as over powered, the M15's jib is small, but still could do no better than 90 degrees off the wind made good. the GPS track told me i could sail all day and not made any forward progress. my solution was to drop sail and motor, very slowly, to weather.
i also had an enjoyable 4th of July sail. was on Lake Dillon, CO. winds became gusty (normal for mountain sailing); but mostly in the 15 knot range. had a few periods, lasting for 15 or so minutes each, with wind 20+ with gust above 25 (the rigging was whistling). Lake Dillon doesn't have a long fetch so even when the wind is blowing a gale the seas don't get large. the most i saw was 1.5' ... called 'large seas' by the lake's 'old timers'. i had a blast and it was great fun!
one minute video linked below showing the beginning of the holiday sailing day in a 'light breeze' of 10 kts. wind didn't even start to blow until 11AM ... lake was like glass when i arrived at 9AM. you will notice in the video the boat is under powered as i expected the wind to rise. went onto the lake with full main and working jib (standard procedure for sailing on Dillon) -
:: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com
--- On Thu, 7/5/12, Daniel Rich <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
We've discussed this before, but want opinions again. Scobie?
Yesterday I was in 15-20 knot winds. 1 reef point
just
wasn't enough. So, I'm going to add another. Now, with 2 reef points and a working jib, will I have good balance in an M15? Or, do I need a storm jib too? I don't have one. How does the M15 sail on 2 reefed main alone with a dropped jib? Any chance of going to windward that way?
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com