I don't know much about this boat. I have a Cal 20, but
I've never had any problems tacking, even in very light
conditions. Tacking through 90 degrees is normal. You're
talking about tacking through 100? In light conditions, that
doesn't seem that far off.

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
.. .
sailing a small sloop keel boat, 19 foot Com-Pac 19, in light winds.
i'm having difficulty making a nice smooth tack in light winds.

for example, if close hauled on a starboard tack with a heading of 180
degrees, after i tack i must fall off to a heading of much more than 280
degrees to regain steerage, and only after regaining forward speed can i
return and point up to a 280 degree heading or less.

i don't think the problem is so pronounced in brisk winds, but haven't
actually taken the observations of the compass.

is this typical to have to fall off the wind much more than the eventual
heading to obtain steerage?

thanks.