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**s/v Beth** · 05-07-2010, 20:36

Got into Friday Harbor the other day, let the crew loose on the unsuspecting inhabitants, and was tiding up around the boat. The guy next to me in a nice Nordic 40 is having a glass of wine. We get to talking, and he mentions that he can pinch his boat at 12 degrees off the wind and can "Go all day at 14 degrees off the wind" with all of his go fast/racing equipment.
Really? I can't really pinch closer than 30 degrees, and that I feel I am doing pretty good. I didn't think cruisers could really do that. For that matter, I didn't think racers could do that. What do you guys think? Do I just need all new Tape-drive sails? How close are you able to sail to the wind?

**Jim Cate** · 05-07-2010, 20:41

Newt, the funny noise you heard while this chap was talking to you was the BS alarm going off!

Jim

ViribusUnitis · 05-07-2010, 20:51

Sure.

With the Iron Gennoa, I can sail 0 degrees off the wind!

Tempest245 · 05-07-2010, 20:51

Did he mention that his go fast racing equipment included his engine? ;-)

Sabbatical II · 05-07-2010, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

We get to talking, and he mentions that he can pinch his boat at 12 degrees off the wind and can "Go all day at 14 degrees off the wind" with all of his go fast/racing equipment.
Really? I can't really pinch closer than 30 degrees, and that I feel I am doing pretty good. I didn't think cruisers could really do that. For that matter, I didn't think racers could do that. How close are you able to sail to the wind?

Is he talking apparent or true?

If it's one of the high tech racing boats that make their own apparent wind then, they are unbelievably good, but 14 degrees apparent (if true) is amazing. I don't like tall stories and prefer to talk to fisherman.

Greg

cchesley · 05-07-2010, 21:09

Soooo, what's the angle-o-meter say when he's on the other tack???

Sheesh, ya shoulda stopped by and said hello!

sailstoo · 05-07-2010, 21:11

dude is sailin' a Nordic Iceboat, right?

sabray · 05-07-2010, 21:15

It's usually called luffing. Another fun sailing term that should be applied to cosumption. I was 2 luffs to the wind.

VirtualVagabond · 05-07-2010, 21:46

14 degrees is great... over the transom... spinnaker full...

Factor · 06-07-2010, 01:42

Absolute dribble

pete33458 · 06-07-2010, 04:05

I've never seen a consensus before on this forum!

bayview · 06-07-2010, 04:52

A Volvo 60 or a Seacart can see AWA's in the low 20's for max windward VMG.

It certainly would be surprising to see a Nordic 40 loaded with cruising gear seeing these sort of angles under sail power alone. He may have a problem with his AWA instruments. Or he may have an accent and was actually saying 40.