Catboat Forum

Went sailing last night with gusts to about 25

Posted By: Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI
Date: 7/16/08 6:10p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

mph. First time in heavier air in the Sun Cat. It handled pretty well. We had full sail up. A couple of observations/questions: - On a broad reach there was a ton of weather helm. I think I had the tiller against the end of the opening, and there was a lot of bow in it. I've read that the Sun Cat is better balanced than some other cats. Is that kind of weather helm normal? - I'm assuming reefing will help with the weather helm. We've got jiffy reefing but haven't tried it yet. - The Sun Cat tacks easily (especially compared to my SeaPearl. Some people recommend an Ida Sailor rudder for the Sun Cat. Since it's not needed for tacking, I'm curious if it's helpful with heavy weather helm to reduce drag. - The anchor that came with the boat is a 2 kg claw type that seems inadequate. In fact, it dragged during lunch, although we didn't do a good job of setting it and we didn't have enough scope. Is there an anchor that Sun Catters favor? I'll need something more confidence-inducing to sleep through a night. Happy sails to you.

Messages In This Thread

Went sailing last night with gusts to about 25 -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/16/08 6:10p.m.

Where was your centerboard? -- Tom Ray -- 7/16/08 6:23p.m.

Weather helm -- Dick Herman, Muddy Duck -- 7/16/08 7:08p.m.

Yep... reef! -- Jim B., wandering around -- 7/16/08 9:11p.m.

It's interesting that the rudder moving an inch -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/17/08 12:10p.m.

The pin will break -- Tom Ray -- 7/17/08 12:58p.m.

Rudder Shear Pin -- Barnacle Bob -- 7/17/08 1:34p.m.

I like the golf tees. Or chopsticks, maybe. -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/18/08 4:18a.m.

Dave, all responses are excellent. Add to them: -- Vicki Ruzicka -- 7/17/08 1:03p.m.

weather helm -- Roger -- 7/17/08 6:04a.m.

Trim etc -- Craig D, Suncat, "Cattitude", Finger Lakes -- 7/17/08 6:22a.m.

Torque -- Roger -- 7/17/08 7:32a.m.

Full sail in gusts to 25, that should build confidence! -- Carl, Horizon Cat/Picnic Cat, Central Texas -- 7/17/08 7:11a.m.

Good comments from everyone. I raced sloops -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/17/08 12:27p.m.

It was the rudder that caused the weather helm. -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/22/08 6:50a.m.

Dave, were you out on the Big Lake? I've only -- Vicki Ruzicka -- 7/23/08 9:33a.m.

Yup, on the big lake. Nice sail with west wind. -- Dave, Sun Cat #103, Grand Haven, MI -- 7/23/08 5:23p.m.

Interested in your modifications. Take some snapshots when you can. -- Vicki Ruzicka -- 7/23/08 7:08p.m.

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