A) If your cutlery includes nit picks, conventional wisdom -- and
some rough testing -- says that 10 degrees is the optimum heel for a
P19. In the real world, anything up from 5 to 20 degrees will do quite
well. In different conditions, you'll find yourself "in the slot"
somewhere in that range ... if anywhere. Much above 20 degrees, and
you approach the point where form stability lets go and the boat gives
up a chunk of heel angle rather suddenly. Sailing in that range of
heel is difficult, uncomfortable, and not very stable.
In most seas, upwind-spray-in-face is minimized at the ten degree
angle.
B) Here's a table I've toyed with off & on for years. It's partly
just noodling but is mostly based on experience.
MAIN REACH BEAT
REEFS HEADSAIL MIN MAX MAX
0 genoa 0 14 12
1 genoa 5 19 14
2 genoa 5 23 16
0 lapper 5 23 18
1 lapper 7 26 20
2 lapper 12 28 25
0 jib 7 27 20
1 jib 14 31 25
2 jib 18 38 34
2 none 20 40 no way
down jib 20 45 no way
- bare poles - 0 ?? no way
Windspeeds are in mph, converted from knots.
The limits are intended to apply to a lightly loaded P19. Cruising
loads can significantly extend the range for a given headsail upward.
In most cases, higher speeds are tolerable for a given sailplan but
are neither comfortable nor particularly safe.
Comfort is not possible In the higher ranges, and sea state often
imposes limits different and narrower than those dictated by wind
speed.
An assymetrical spinnaker is generally usable in winds up to 12 knots
or so, higher if you're pointed low and are in need of a thrill.
Compare that to the Cat 22 recommendations:
Wind
B Speed Sail selection
(MPH)
1 1-3 Motor Steerage, full main & 160 % drifter
2 4-7 Heeling begins, full main & 160 % drifter or 150% genoa
3 8-12 Noticeable heeling, full main & 150% genoa
4 13-18 Great sailing, full main & 150% genoa
5 19-24 single reef & 135% genoa
6 24-31 Sailing strenuous, second reef & working jib
7 32-38 Progress windward impossible, three reefs & working jib
8 39-46 Limit of boats ability, motor or seek shelter
9 47-54 Run under bare poles, lie ahull or sit to sea anchor
10 55-63 Swear oaths you will not keep once back on land
Give me some warning before subjecting me to going upwind at 24 mph of
wind in _any_ small boat flying a 135% genny!! Except for that seeming
exaggeration and the Cat's initial tenderness and greater tolerance of
heel (believe me, you do *not* want to see your P19 rail in the
water), I see rough comparability.
Probably means we're both lying.
Regards,
Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net