Improving boat speed?

[tom_sail]

In the winter I sail j80's. Come crane in time our current cruiser feels sluggish and slow and we always end up motoring in anything under 10knots as we only make 1.5-2 knots.

To put it in prospective I was sailing a j80 against a knot of tide in 3 knots of wind today upwind and we were very slowly pushing the tide. probably making a knot Over the ground.

Our boat weighs 700kg more then a j80 and is near as damit the same length and LWL (3 bladed prop hunter horizon 26 twin keel)

Our current sails are pretty shot. I plan on getting a fully battened main. we have a reasonable symmetric spinnaker. But May also purchase a second hand cruising chute with snuffer as I singlehand most of the time.

What other steps can I take for a bit more OOMPH?
I know I will never get the performance of a j80 and i don't really want a racey fast boat otherwise I would buy a figaro or something similar (if I had the money )

Thanks

[awol]

Simple - just double your sail area to displacement ratio! So taller mast, bigger sails and throw away anything that isn't essential to sailing...... or just sail the J80.

[BAtoo]

New sails.
Folding prop.
Smooth bottom.
Chuck out all the excess weight.

[guernseyman]

Might be worth thinking about your foresail. When we went for a furling foresail, discussion with the sailmaker revealed that we could take one about a yard longer than the old one. It made for a big difference in performance.

[tom_sail]

Simple - just double your sail area to displacement ratio! So taller mast, bigger sails and throw away anything that isn't essential to sailing...... or just sail the J80.

sounds a brill idea if I had deep pockets!

New sails.
Folding prop.
Smooth bottom.
Chuck out all the excess weight.

Thanks or that I'm looking into folding props just a lot of a lot money.

Might be worth thinking about your foresail. When we went for a furling foresail, discussion with the sailmaker revealed that we could take one about a yard longer than the old one. It made for a big difference in performance.

Would vertical battens back a difference to or not worth it?

[ianat182]

You could try checking the boat trim, after you've moved all the weight from the ends.
Try a spirit level at or about the mast foot fore and aft, then check lateral trim as well. Dynamic lift on the hull will often raise the bow, depressing the stern quarters, so allow for a slight change when you return to the cockpit with the rest of the normal crew weight.

Adjust the weight to as near the keel area first and move as necessay to trim level.

Sailing dinghies years ago we did this as part of our setup to find the best sitting-out positions after watching some video of us racing poorly. It made a difference.

ianat182

[bammylovechops]

What other steps can I take for a bit more OOMPH?
Thanks[/QUOTE]



How about of a pair of Volvo Penta 170hp inboards

[dylanwinter]

I have a cure for all your ailments

borrow the slug for a day

your view of the crucial speed to happiness ratio will be transformed

this is a service available to all those afflicted with this terrible burden

Dylan

[SAWDOC]

In the winter I sail j80's. Come crane in time our current cruiser feels sluggish and slow and we always end up motoring in anything under 10knots as we only make 1.5-2 knots.

Our boat weighs 700kg more then a j80 and is near as damit the same length and LWL (3 bladed prop hunter horizon 26 twin keel)

Thanks

It reads like you have outgrown your boat.
You can spend money on new sails and polish your hull as best you can between now and April but a twin keel 26 footer is never going to be a very fast boat. Sell up and buy a 30 -33 foot fin keeler if your situation allows. I wouldn't waste money in your circumstance on a folding prop.
Alternatively take Dylan's advice, change your attitude and learn to enjoy a slower boat!

[Robin]

The key is never to sail on or against a faster boat, but that is surely too late because the rot has set in. Twin keel, 3 bladed prop, knackered sails are all downers, but even if you cut off a keel, fitted a folder and bought some decent sails it would still be slow against a performance boat because you also need a taller rig, deeper keel and a better designer. Do you have a friendly bank manager?