N1EE wrote:

What makes a boat weatherly?

What is the best keel type, hull form, and rig type?

What can you do to improve weatherliness on an existing boat?

Back you your answer with an explanation.

IMHO the first step is to explain what is commonly meant by
'weatherly' other than the 12-Meter America's Cup defender. Usually it
refers to a sailing vessel's ability to make good speed to windward,
ie maintaining above average (or at least, better than the vessel
being compared) VMG. In some senses, it can be taken to mean being
able to make good to windward under adverse conditons.

What makes a boat 'weatherly?' Firstly, an effective rig... most
importantly one that can be shaped and sheeted inboard for maintaining
drive at an angle close to the wind. Secondly, an effective underwater
shape or foil, which will allow the boat to go forward easily but
resist leeway. Third, the boat must generate enough righting moment to
keep the rig & underwater foil at efficient angles instead of just
laying over.

In different conditions, effectiveness of rigs and especially hull
shapes & underwater foils vary greatly. In moderate air and smooth
water, a very high aspect rig and keels like glider wings work
amazingly well. If the chop increases and flow in both air and water
gets turbulent, they loose their efficiency and lower aspect rigs, and
keels that are stubbier & swept back are the best.

Another point to keep in mind is that relative areas of rig &
underwater foil make a big difference.

To improve the weatherliness of any boat, start first with the rig.
The mast should be straight & vertically centered... you'd be amazed
at how many sailors, even racers, are breezing around with crooked
and/or slanted masts. Next, the condtion of the sails and the sheeting
arrangements should be looked at... some are OK, some need
improvement. One big improvement that can be made in many production
boats is to put on a proper jib/genoa sheet track to bring the sheet
lead inboard. Sheeting to the toerail ain't gonna get it (in most
boats). Then pay attention to the underwater surface, if the keel &
rudder foil sections are bunged up then that can be worked on. In some
cases, a keel redesign (like Ol' Thom did) can help dramatically, but
most of the time the designer knew what he was doing and unless you
are making changes in the rig, you won't benefit from changing the
keel IMHO.

Lastly, buy spiffy new racing sails and get the sailmaker to come for
a trial sail with you. Watch him carefully and take notes on
everything he does & says.

Sometimes, the biggest improvement in weatherliness can be made by
changing skippers!

Now, what was the question again?

Fresh BReezes- Doug King