When heeling over that far it is best to first let out the main sail. This
is where most of the heeling is coming from. Next reduce the size of the
jib, or main, or both. Each boat and each sail has it's own characteristics
and I am not sure which one you might want to do first, I suppose it would
depend upon your point of sail and conditions, etc.

Letting out the main will reduce heeling, reducing the size of the main
(reefing) will reduce heeling. That being said, you can be overcanvassed
with a big jib in 15 knots also. I could guess that the jib you are using
is used, tired, and is not that high of a quality sail anyway, probably
acts like a big baggy parachute, and if that is the case you might not want
to use such an ineffecient sail anyway.

Most newbies overtrim the main sail, confusing the extra heel they get by
doing so with forward momentum, but overtrimming a main sail will slow you
down, even though it may feel exciting and fast.

Lonny

--
Enjoy my new sailing web site
http://sail247.com


wrote in message
ups.com...
I just bought a 1982 25 foot O'Day. I have no idea if there is a model
name or number. It has a HUGE genoa. My first question are about
safety. This boat has a retractable centerboard.

When I have the genoa out all the way any puff over 7 mph puts the boat
into a pretty scary lean and when I turn upwind to minimize the lean it
takes at least 4 seconds for the boat to straighten up. It begins a
nice turn immediately but the lee rail stays low. My HOBIE CAT Senses
yell "Capsize" when this is going on. Am I at risk of capsizing in a 15
knot wind with my monster genoa fully out or will I just lean like a
monster? Does it matter whether or not I have my centerboard down? Will
my centerboard possibly retract by itself if I lean far enough?

I have rigged the genoa lines as such: from the sail to the aft side
rail pulley to the mid deck pulley to the wraparound winch thing to a
regular two horn tiedown. I have no quick release like on the mainsail.
First issue is that it take me a long time to spill the genoa because
it is usually tied down to thee lee side and unwrapping the rope from
that two horn tiedown takes some time. I am used to quick releases on
both main and jib from my hobies. Should I be using some sort of slip
knot for quick release and should I run the line from the lee side
winch across the cockpit to the windward tie down so that I don't have
to go to the lee side of the boat when I really need my ballast on the
windward side?

Next, how do I determine if my boat has positive floatation and where
is my bilge pump, if I have one?

My mainsail rigging I am sure is inadequate, how can I figure out the
proper rigging?

Thanks in advance.

Danny