What Is 'Light Wind Performance' Really?

Stillraining · 03-12-2009, 19:09

Reading the performance vs Comfort thread..Light wind performance has come up quite often.

Now I really dont know what everyone considers light winds nor the performance level which would be classified as "Good" by ever one either.

My boat will make hull speed in 10 to 12 knots of wind at all points of sail is that Good, bad or mediocre? What will yours do? and share how you are best using Light airs....What sails are you flying and why? Also if you could add a sail which one would it be?

svHyLyte · 03-12-2009, 19:33

The ability to "sail" the yacht in 3-4 knots of apparent wind. Ten to 12 knots of apparent is quit routine.

FWIW...

cat man do · 03-12-2009, 20:09

Close enough to wind speed up to around 15 knots of wind for me.

Last boat excelled in light air being able to sail puff to puff on glassy days (concentrate) and 4 to 5 knots in 5 to 7 knots of wind, all with 6ft1 headroom in hulls, a full queen sized bed, an 8 ft hard dinghy and outboard, a proper electric porcelain toilet and a fridge that made ice for the afternoon drinks

Paul L · 03-12-2009, 20:20

It isn't just how fast the boat will go in light air, it is also how much effort it takes to get the boat to that speed. If it requires massive sails and lots of effort, then many cruisers end up motoring. So the boat needs to be able to sail decently in light air and do it with a minimum of fuss.

Paul L

cal40john · 03-12-2009, 20:21

Sailing, when my friends in their Morgan OI 41, Gulfstar Sailmaster 39, and Yankee 41 were parked.

John

Randy · 03-12-2009, 20:30

The heavy displacement boys say light air is anything under small craft advisories.

Stillraining · 03-12-2009, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy

The heavy displacement boys say light air is anything under small craft advisories.

I can relate to that!...Thats my definition as well...

Paul
FWIW... in my origional post I can reach hull speed in 10 to 12 with Genny alone....I guess that would classify as being considered pretty darn easy....I have not had the chance to be out in 3 to 4 Knots yet..but I have a feeling that would be .50 oz spinnaker time on my boat..

FSMike · 03-12-2009, 21:28

[QUOTE=Stillraining;368999]
.. in my origional post I can reach hull speed in 10 to 12 with Genny alone..../QUOTE]

Just curious - what exactly is the hull speed of an Irwin 41' ketch?

Thanks

Stillraining · 03-12-2009, 21:38

Right at 8 knots....8.02

S&S · 03-12-2009, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy

The heavy displacement boys say light air is anything under small craft advisories.

Hey, small craft is when she really goes!

Really I'd say 5kts of breeze. Sails not slatting but just puttering along.

What's the expectation though? Does anyone really expect quickness in such light breezes?

Stillraining · 03-12-2009, 21:50

[QUOTE=S&S;369039]

Hey, small craft is when she really goes!

Really I'd say 5kts of breeze. Sails not slatting but just puttering along.

What's the expectation though? Does anyone really expect quickness in such light breezes?[/QUOTE]

You worded it better then I S&S ...this is really in a nut shell what I am trying to find out I guess...and some sort of base line as to what a "Good performer" in light airs really is for thoes in the know.

Paul L · 03-12-2009, 21:58

If you can decide to sail instead of motor, then you have acceptable light air performance. Of course, your light air numbers are not going to be the same when you are offshore in swells and left over seas vs. flat Puget Sound water.

Paul L

delmarrey · 03-12-2009, 22:07

When I can keep the 8 oz sails full, that's light air performance. Anything under that I have to hang the lady's under ware.

S&S · 03-12-2009, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&S

Hey, small craft is when she really goes!

Really I'd say 5kts of breeze. Sails not slatting but just puttering along.

What's the expectation though? Does anyone really expect quickness in such light breezes?

You worded it better then I S&S ...this is really in a nut shell what I am trying to find out I guess...and some sort of base line as to what a "Good performer" in light airs really is for thoes in the know.

OK. But what's light airs? 5kts? Under 10? We need a dead calm for the boat not to be moving, but under 12-15 kts, she's not doing hull speed under plain sail. Good? Dunno. but we're moving- no motor.

Stillraining · 03-12-2009, 22:12

Hey you guys set the parameters... Im the dummy asking.