In which wind to lower the mainsail?
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Hello,
To configure the Octopus routing software (Adrena Software) for my Pogo 36, I asked All Purpose for the limits of use of my set of sails (Sailect).
Their answer does not include the mainsail with 3 reefs. In other words, they don’t indicate when it’s advisable to lower the mainsail completely.
I’m interested in any feedback on when it’s necessary to fully lower the mainsail, or even to run out of sail (I also have a stormjib).
I know of a Pogo 36 crew who experienced 58 knots of wind and ran away under 3 reefed mainsail alone (they didn’t have a stormjib). This is the only feedback I’m aware of, which would tend to demonstrate that you can keep the 3 reef mainsail up to 60 knots (which is already a lot).
The other day, I narrowly escaped a thunderstorm off the Gironde estuary, which kicked up a 77-knot wind! Should I have kept the tourmentin?
These are the questions I ask myself…
Lionel
Hello Lionel.
Do you have an answer to this question? I’m interested too.
Francis / Pogo 10,50 Brav’eo.
Hello Francis,
I haven’t had any feedback. However, the yacht has agreed to provide me with the Sailects including the 3 reef mainsail for information purposes.
So I should be able to see up to what maximum wind you can keep the 3 reef mainsail.
I haven’t been out to the boat yet to look at these Sailects, but I can get back to you as soon as I have!
Best regards,
Lionel (Kairos)
Hello,
For my part, in winds of up to 50 knots, I was sailing downwind without any problems under staysail and three reefs. The wind then picked up and the boat started to luff. Above 55 knots, I lowered the mainsail to sail without any problems under TKT.
It seems to me that downwind above 55 knots, and with the mainsail at three reefs, the TKT is too small to balance the boat, which then starts to luff. I didn’t dare to hoist the solent, and in any case it didn’t seem possible to me in these conditions to lower the TKT properly.
I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards,
Michel (Miramar)
Nearest example I can quote: is we sailed upwind, about 30 degrees apparent, with a reefed staysail and 3 reefs in main (both All Purpose) in true winds speed of 40 gusting 50 knots. It was uncomfortable but controllable. We needed to keep the power on as sailing between islands and rocks with wind and waves against us and strong tides. The staysail and main sail cloth did not appear to stretch at all. We have since bought a storm jib but have not tried it yet.
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