Oz wrote in message ...
On Wed, 4 Feb 2004 02:23:30 -0000, "Donal"
scribbled thusly:

Maybe. I just know that she goes faster when we reef earlier.

What is that boat Donal...A First around 32'?

Yes, it's a F33.7.

In a normal sea, when would you consider a reef necessary?

On a beat, about 18 kts apparent. On a beam reach, [hmmmm] say 25 kts.



Most of the Bennys I've sailed like to carry more sail than less but
will require a quick hand on the traveller to keep them tracking thru
a gust.

The guy who used to helm for me, wouldn't reef until about 23Kts + on a
beat. IMO, that cost us dearly in the first couple of races. WE did quite
well once I became confident enough to take over sail trimming. However,
later I tried helming as well, and we slid back down the field.




We've done that a couple of times. Better than sex!! I've reported it
here. The last time, some of the crew didn't understand why 8.5 kts was
so
fantastic. They pointed out that we had done 12 kts earlier in the
day....
They didn't understand that we were doing 8.5 kts *into* wind - in a 33
ft
boat!

A couple of times?
Hell Donal, if you know it works, DO IT EVERY TIME!
With minor changes to suit te conditions of course


We need a reasonable offshore breeze to do it. The water has to be almost
flat. That really means a Northerly, which isn't that common.

Regards

Donal
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