Oversheeting to Reduce Rolling
Older designs, those yachts with heavier displacement and keel-hung rudders, may not be able to handle the steering loads that come with the high downwind speed and surfing. On these boats, carrying a staysail or sheeting a reefed main close to the centerline will reduce rolling.
The sail from the Windward Passage (between Haiti and Cuba) to Panama is usually fast, and unfortunately rolly. There is often a sea from the northeast and southeast, more or less crossing at right angles. Often changing course in one direction or the other, sometimes as little as 15-degrees, can make the ride much smoother. Then, when the sea state changes, you can come back on course.
It is often better to carry more sail area rather than less downwind. The increased speed can lead to better steering response, and fewer waves overtaking the boat. In the drawing above, the ketch depicted is carrying both boomed sails and twin headsails, and sailing at a 40-degree angle to the seas. She can do this comfortably in moderate winds. But when the breeze picks up, there may be problems keeping her on course—at which point the crew will want to reduce sail, or head further off the wind.
It is often better to carry more sail area rather than less downwind. The increased speed can lead to better steering response, and fewer waves overtaking the boat. In the drawing above, the ketch depicted is carrying both boomed sails and twin headsails, and sailing at a 40-degree angle to the seas. She can do this comfortably in moderate winds. But when the breeze picks up, there may be problems keeping her on course—at which point the crew will want to reduce sail, or head further off the wind.
You should avoid running absolutely square if possible. Tacking downwind, the alternative, allows the apparent wind to come forward and build, which in turn reduces motion. Sometimes as little as 10-degrees up from a dead run will do the trick. And as we've mentioned previously, most yachts actually move faster enough to more than compensate for the increased distance being traveled.
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