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shorebird · 05-11-2011, 15:10

This has probably come up before, but I sail a Hunter 31, without a backstay. Being new (ish) to sailing my wife and I attempted, numerous times, to run wing and wing, without success. Since the main chafes on the shrouds it cannot be let out all the way, so the result is, when running, either the headsail keeps collapsing a few degrees one way, or the main gybes, or threatens to, a few degrees the other way. We have been told to try a whisker pole, but it seems the best fix is to just broad reach and skip wing and wing altogether. Any suggestions? We would rather not use a chute or other sail just yet.

Mark1977 · 05-11-2011, 15:15

Great, another problem with these Hunters...........

running and ducking.......

delmarrey · 05-11-2011, 15:26

I find it best to just run on a slight tack before the wind 10 -15º. It keeps the sails full and seems to be more efficient, since the sails are full all the time.

It's also easier on the rigging, keeping the constant shock out. If I have to do a straight down wind I just use the genoa/jib only with a pole out. Better yet a spinnaker only.

thinwater · 05-11-2011, 15:48

A jibe preventer will tame the main. A wisker pole will hold the jib out, perhaps with the lead moved forward to keep the clew down. No problem. There is no need to have the main far forward.

sailorboy1 · 05-11-2011, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorebird

it seems the best fix is to just broad reach and skip wing and wing altogether. Any suggestions? .

\

That's the answer!

But you can sail WOW, it's just real tight. And you have to be willing to put the mail out on the spreaders, which is why there are extra protection there on the sail.

**roverhi** · 05-11-2011, 15:59

You can't run wing and without poling out the headsail no matter what boat you've got. The jib will constantly collapse and fill no matter how smooth the water. As thinwater said use a preventer on the main and pole out the jib with the pole forward of 90 degrees to the beam and sail slightly to windward of DDW. That will put your main to use and may even sail faster than trying to run DDW. If you've got the ability to hoist two headsails simultaneously, pole one out to one side and douse the main and sheet the other jib to the main boom on the other side.

sailorboy1 · 05-11-2011, 16:07

The other part for a B&R rigged Hunter is that the main sail is so big compared to the head sail that it can not really get out in the air.

Just don't go wing on if you don't need to. And the only time should need to is in a seaway etc. where you either sheet the main to the center, or roll up the jib and sail only on the main.

Otherwise turn into a deep reach and just go faster to start with.

But then this is only how I do mine.

**Paul Elliott** · 05-11-2011, 18:43

A whisker pole makes running wing and wing *much* easier. With the pole you can keep the jib full and pulling on a wide range of wind angles. Without the pole, keeping both sails full is a real balancing act as you have discovered.

You might also consider a preventer on the main. That's not going to help with the boom angle, just make the accidental jibe not so violent. Preventers have their issues...

Here's a link to a photo of my boat running wing and wing (with a pole): http://sailvalis.com/wordpress_1/wp-...02/Valis_1.jpg

shorebird · 05-11-2011, 19:11

Thanks for all the prompt and informative replies. As always, there are a number of options, depending on the wind and sea conditions. Rigging a gybe preventer and whisker pole sounds like a good option for long runs, broad reaching for shorter runs with maneuvering room, and perhaps dousing the genny for shorter runs in a narrower waterway. I would consider dousing the main if the run was ending at the destination, since our genny is considerably larger. Paul, nice shot of your boat. Are you going to clear the upcoming bridge?
cheers,
david

"The problem with quotes on the internet is the difficulty in verifying its authenticity as well as crediting its source"
Abraham Lincoln

FSMike · 05-11-2011, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by shorebird

"The problem with quotes on the internet is the difficulty in verifying its authenticity as well as crediting its source"
Abraham Lincoln

ROFLMAO!

Sailor g · 05-11-2011, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

A whisker pole makes running wing and wing *much* easier. With the pole you can keep the jib full and pulling on a wide range of wind angles. Without the pole, keeping both sails full is a real balancing act as you have discovered.

You might also consider a preventer on the main. That's not going to help with the boom angle, just make the accidental jibe not so violent.

We use the whisker pole & preventer too but it does take time & effort even when the pole is on a track so we only use it on a long run. I agree with Don and "

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Just don't go wing on if you don't need to. And the only time should need to is in a seaway etc. where you either sheet the main to the center, or roll up the jib and sail only on the main.

Otherwise turn into a deep reach and just go faster to start with.

But then this is only how I do mine.

cal40john · 05-11-2011, 23:07

Don't have a B& G rig, but I was taught that it was easier to run wing and wing with the main sheeted in a little to spill air from the main onto the jib, so that's what I usually do. I have a 150% genoa so maybe that makes it a little easier. In Puget Sound where the wind is either upwind or downwind I've spent some time sailing wing and wing, and usually don't rig a pole to sail for only a couple of hours. If it's going to be a long sail, then rigging a pole gives you a lot more latitude, so easier to steer.

John