Colvic Atlanta 32

[RodneysGranddad]

Hi

I have just bought a Colvic Atlanta 32 ketch and wondered if anyone maybe had any information or suggestions on Prop size and Sailplan?

Given its long keel and heavy displacement (7.5 tons), the boat produces significant weather helm, and to windward the Mizzen appears largely redundant. I've thought about reprofiling and/or increasing the size of the rudder, but this opens up another can of worms, and I was therefore wondering if anyone had any views on an oversized Genoa or even a G0?

The engine is a Beta 50 with 2:1 reduction, and the original sails are -

Mizzen - 6.04 sq metres / 65 sq ft - luff 18ft, foot 7ft
Main - 14.86 sq metres / 160 sq ft - luff 26 ft (in mast reefing), foot 12ft
Genoa - 17.19 sq metres / 185 sq ft - luff 28 ft, foot 15ft

I'd be really grateful for any thoughts or guidance

[boatman61]

Well they are a motorsailer rather than a purer sailing vessel..
Doubt if a larger rudder will help much, perhaps better sail trim and experiments with combinations of sizes.. to my mind all a larger Genoa will achieve is better downwind performance (maybe).. as for mizzens, going upwind they tend to be fairly inefficient as the air is to disturbed by the main.. however on beam and board reaches with just jib and jigger she sails a treat..
Here's some comments from an owner..
"For a motorsailer, Colvic Atlantas sail quite well. Skeemin once did 7.6 knots in a force 6, but that felt a bit like driving a car with the engine in the red zone. The mast was pushing down so hard that the toilet door was sticking.

Being a ketch, the sails were easier to handle, as the main is smaller for the same power than on a sloop. The two masts give flexibility in sail configurations. For example, in high winds I could lower the main and sail with just the genoa and the mizzen. When motoring, I could use the mizzen as a steadying sail."