3rd reef in 32 mainsail

Post here if you want to discuss a topic specific to the PDQ Altair.
Post Reply
User avatar
thinwater
admiral
admiral
Posts: 1110
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:08 am
Contact:

3rd reef in 32 mainsail

Post by thinwater »

MODERATOR NOTE: I split these posts from a previous topic, as they are unique to a 3rd reef in the mainsail and it is an important enough topic to merit it's own thread.

------

I just had them add a 3rd reef. I had been considering it and sailing in a good breeze yesterday swung the vote. I was not over powered but would have been if the wind had gone over 30 knots.

The thing is that the PDQ 32 carrys her keel very far forward, under the CG instead of the COE. Thus, she like to reef the main first for good balance, and likes to have only a tiny main and a small genoa (perhaps the full self-tacker) in a blow. More main than that and the rudders can be over powered. More proof? Try to sail her with main-only. While my Stiletto was fun under main alone, the PDQ is virtually unsailable with that combination. She just rounds up and goes into irons.

I won't keep the 3rd reef rigged all the time. She has 2 internal reefs and that is enough spaghetti. I will simply rig it externally:
* Outhaul to the new clew. I'm going to use a soft shackle. I will probably grade the outhaul with a line stopper so that it can more easily be taken to the mast-mounted winch.
* Lashing to hold the clew to the boom. Probably a 3 pass strope.
*A line and hook to hold the tack down, and tension with the halyard. I'll need to see how the sail fits.
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
amytom
admiral
admiral
Posts: 694
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:57 am
Location: Orlando, FL S/V DogHouse PDQ32009

Re: A new mainsail for a 32 - questions

Post by amytom »

We did the same with our existing main. In 30 - 35 knt winds the rudders were basically brakes with the wheel hard over. The third reef is externally rigged and has only been used for testing.

Just made a new genoa from a SailRite kit, considerably larger than the old one so maybe that will help???
User avatar
thinwater
admiral
admiral
Posts: 1110
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:08 am
Contact:

Re: A new mainsail for a 32 - questions

Post by thinwater »

Tom, I'd suggest marking *whipping) some key furling points on the furling line. It makes shifting gears much easier.
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
Post Reply