Tyler wrote:In general, how close can you all point up wind efficiently (say in a race)? Also, what do you find your optimum downwind angles to be when using a spinnaker(run dead down wind, or jibe)? At what angle does the spinnaker become more efficient than the working jib? Thanks for the input.
Tyler: We've found the SJ21 is more sensitive than many boats to wind speed for its pointing angles. It likes to be sailed at a certain narrow window of heel (10-15 degrees, no more nor less), and it's quick enough in a light breeze that apparent wind angle becomes an issue. We've found below 8 kts TWS, you have to crack off to keep the boat's own speed from heading you -- we tack thru about 95-100 degrees (by the compass) in those conditions. Above 15 knots or so, you may need to ease the sails, twist off, & open the slot to keep the boat from heeling too much, which hurts your pointing angles -- again, we tack thru 95-100 degrees. Above 25 kts TWS, you really need to bear off to keep the boat on its feet; above 35 kts on reefed main only, it's hard to keep the boat going much above a beam reach. Chop can make that angle even worse.
But between 8 and 12 kts or so is a sweet spot. By paying close attention to jib car placement, mainsail draft location, and crew ballast, we've been able to consistently tack thru 80ish degrees in that range. It's like the hull shape, sail trim, & keel lift all hit their optimum at 10 kts. One thing we have noticed is a significant difference between
heading and
course. We might think we're making 90 degree tacks all day, but a look at the GPS track reveals course-over-ground is more like 100-110. Flat bottom, blunt entry, narrow swept keel ... the SJ21 does make leeway like a catboat.
Again, this effect is most noticeable in winds outside the sweet spot.