Downwind Catamaran Sailing

[jglauds]

My F-P Orana 440 manual has sail specs under two columns: Beating and Close Reaching; and Downwind and Broad Reaching.

Under the latter column (downwind/broad reach), it calls for the main and genoa to be reduced gradually, in synch, as follows:

0-15 knots: Maximal surface
15-20 knots: Main 1 reef, jib 2/3
20-25 knots: Main 2 reef, jib 1/2
25-30 knots: Main 3 reef, jib 1/3
30+ knots: Main down, jib 1/5

I sail mine by the book; we have sailed mostly downwind/broad reach since leaving US in 2009, and we are now in South Africa ... about 15,000 miles with winds aft of the beam.

In fact, when the wind is aft of 120 apparent, we drop the main in any kind od wind, and keep the sheet hauled in tight. I manage the jib using the roller furling, and reduce its size consistent with the above guidance ... even if I have no main out.

In addition to the main backing the jib issue, we find the boat's autopilot works much less when the boat is being pulled by the jib rather than pushed by the main, and of course, no chafe. Finally, no stress in reefing at midnight when my wife is asleep, or, when I'm asleep, her reefing by herself.

We had 6 days of hard broad reaching/downwind sailing across Indian Ocean, winds in the 30-40 range continuously, and we kept a sliver of a genoa out, running at 5-6 knots ... not blazingly fast, but in control and we felt safe despite 20-30 seas on the port quarter.

FWIW ...

/jon

[dirkdig]

Thanks for that info,its always great to hear it from real experience and not textbook theory.