Down Wind Sailing

[Sea Lyon]

We are starting back to US from the Eastern Caribbean. Almost all of our sailing till now has been very close to the wind. Our maybe a little beam reach.

Our 38 ft Island Packet is set up with a mast mounted whisper pole. We have 110 percent head sail.

We just sailed from Barbuda to USVI 190 kn miles. The true wind was probably in a range of maybe 13 to 16 kits pretty much directly behind us favoring very sli a port tack mostly but very slight to port and then back behind us. The seas were called 3 to 5 ft.

We had the pole out to port and the main to starboard with a preventer. So the main was in normal position for a port tack.

Our speed varied from 4.5 knot to 6 or 7 kn depending on wind position and speed. The ride was very roley specially when the wind was right behind us and in the low range.

My question is when wing in wing do you want the Jib poled out to the expected weather side and main on normal side for tack? Also when wind shifts to slightly other tack can you head up into in a little with out changing sail positions? The less we are on foredeck at sea the better for us.

We got along fine on this run took about 34 hours but would like any tips on how to improve ride and set . We have a lot of down wind miles to go!

[Rucksta]

1. Roll the genoa slightly so the foot iis equal to or less than the length of the pole.
Sail will fill to a better shape and resist collapsing and improve stability.
2. Gybe the main so it is on the windward side and sail" by the lee"
Good preventer and accurate helming required, The wind will accelerate over the main filling the genoa poled to leeward. Better speed and stability.
3. If mast head rig reef the main clean air fills the top of the genoa.
4. Sail a series of gybes on the most effective reach.
Greater distance, better VMG and stability.
5. Twin headsails and no main is a popular idea . Easy steering but requires work on foredect to adjust sail plan

[Idaho]

With twin headsails, set the main boom locked on the centerline and hoist the main only to the first or second reef point.

This makes a stabilizing "fin" that reduces rolling. It can't jibe because its tied in place with the sheet at the center of the boat.

[LoudMusic]

Along with everything already mentioned, I would try to maintain a heading such that the wind is 10 to 15 degrees OFF your stern. That way you run less a risk of accidental gybe.