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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Anyone sailing a C250WK in SFO bay?

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/26/2007 : 14:33:26

Howdy,

On a long downwind leg this week, my crew and I were discussing various boats, how much wind they can take, etc. Which brought up some questions I hope someone out there can answer.

Are you sailing a C250WK in San Francisco Bay? If so, I hope you will not mind answering a couple of questions we relatively windless sailors have up in Portland (Oregon). We are thinking of bringing our boat south to your neighborhood, and wondering what it will be like.

My understanding is that the wind blows 20 to 30 most of the time in the bay, is this correct?

If so, well, we've sailed in 15 to 20 a lot, and find that we have the main reefed, and above 15 we are reeling in our 135 jib about 1/3. So it make me wonder what sailing in above 20 is like. Do you use a storm jib? At what wind speed do you double reef the main?

I think you might get the idea what I am asking - in short, what is a C250WK like and how do you rig your sails above 20? above 25? 30?

If there are folks in other locales that deal with these wind speeds regularly in a C250WK, I would of course love to hear from you too.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Kevin Mackenzie
Former Association Secretary and Commodore
"Dogs Allowed"
'06 C250WK #881
and
"Jasmine"
'01 Maine Cat 30 #34

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
842 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2007 : 13:23:18

Kevin,

I can answer some of your questions.
We sail a C250WB with 110% jib on San Francisco bay.
The wind is around 20kts daily in the summer (sometimes up to 30kts).

My main has 2 reef points, but I haven't rigged the 2nd reef point yet.
So, I don't think I've sailed above 25kts.

Sometimes I reef at the dock, while other times I reef underway.
I have not had the need to furl the jib, because the main usually overpowers the jib.
I find twisting the main is useful, and luffing the main during a puff works well.
Managing weatherhelm just takes practice.

The SF Bay is a big place and there are windy spots and calm spots.
We sail to different locations based on conditions.
Windy spots in the morning and calm spots in the afternoon.
The trick is the wind will change force and direction by the hour and location.

Here's an example: We usually sail from 10am to 5pm.
The Richmond marina we use is well protected, so we can leave the marina at 10am with full sails and reef after lunch.
Sometimes we have to motor for an hour to find enough wind (10am), then full sail (11am), then reef (2pm), then full sail back to marina (4pm).
Other marinas (like Berkeley) start in windy spots and you can sail West for more wind or sail North for less wind.

If you are sailing SF Bay, I recommend buying a chart and finding a marina that is positioned best for your trip.
You can send me e-mail if you want more information.
Russ #793

Here's another good resource.
The USGS and San Jose State University have a website with live [url="http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/wind/windbin.cgi"]SF Bay Wind Patterns[/url]
Here are some key features.
1) Click on a wind arrow on the page.
On the lower right corner it will display the wind speed and direction.

2) Click Streaklines.
This will show how the wind changes direction as it moves over the bay.
To exit Streaklines, click Modeled Winds.

3) Click Archive.
You can display a previous data and time.
This was working, but it's not working today when I tried.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2007 : 22:20:47

Thanks Russ, very helpful... -Kevin

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2007 : 11:23:29

Wow, I can't imagine intentionally leaving the dock in winds above 15 on a 250WK. I find the boat extremely tender, most comfortable between 8 and 12 kts. I roll in the 150 some above 10kts and start thinking of the first reef in the main. Around the lake the winds can get gusty and change directions quickly. I've spent alot of time offshore in larger boats, no problem on my 36 offshore above 20 but I'm not comfortable on the 250 above 15. Guess I'm just a wuss.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2007 : 13:00:10

Tradewind, if it makes you feel better then I guess I'm a bigger wuss. LOL

I start reefing at 10knots and with 20 knot winds that must be quite "sporty". I can't even imagine going in winds of 30! We usualy pull out of the lake when the wind is about 12 knots.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2007 : 17:35:28

If I had a 150 on my boat I would roll it up at 10 knots also. A 150 headsail is a monster for the 250 and will overpower very quickly as winds build. However, I have gotten away from trying to figure out at what speed the wind is blowing. I listen to the clinometer on the pedestal for reefing advice. In other words when the sails are set for best performance and the heel is above 15 degrees. I reef the main. If that doesn't bring it under 15 I roll in the jib. I don't worry about gusts since I am now watching the water very close and try to anticipate there arrival and use the mainsheet to maintain 15 degrees. When racing I use 20 degrees as my number.

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