PDQ 36 Capella - Owner’s Manual
Cruising Under Sail 6-3
(Continued)
Sailing in Strong Winds
(Con’d)
As an
indication
, we have found that the boat is more comfortable when the reef is
taken at 20 to 22 knots true wind in flat water. When reaching, the reef can be put off
until true wind speed of 25 knots. With two reefs in, the boat will heel conformably
with the water transom 1 to 2 feet above the water.
As the wind rises:
•
Take the first reef
•
Limit your boatspeed
•
Station a person on the traveler, ready to ease the main in gusts.
•
Reef again to suit the gusts. (Sail loading rises with the square of the wind
speed, so a 10-knot gust on top of a 25-knot wind will
double
the wind
pressure)
•
Put a crew member on the jib sheet
•
Reduce sail to the absolute minimum.
We have found this reefing combination to maintain good balance.
•
At 25 knots true winds; first reef in the main, jib rolled 4 to 6 turns.
•
At 30 knots true winds; second reef in the main, jib rolled to another 4 to 6
turns.
•
Over 40 knots; run off at 120º to 140º apparent wind angle under jib alone.
Be specifically careful when traveling fast downwind as the boat speed can reduce a 30-
knot blow to an apparently reasonable 18-knot breeze. If you are caught in a squall
while traveling downwind, use the main to blanket the foresails and get them down
before rounding onto a reach. Speed is also discussed in the heavy-weather section
below.
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