I race on a lake regularly—usually wishing the winds would be stronger (central Georgia is known for having little wind in the summer).   I agree with Michael’s assessment.  If you are racing in what would be a gentle to moderate breeze on the Beaufort Scale, you might try lowering the boom and sail to the bottom position.  This lowers the Center of Effort and reduces heeling giving you more speed.   If you’re still heeling beyond about 15-20 degrees it’s time to reef.  It’s usually best to reef both main and Genoa to maintain proper balance.

The main needs to be reefed into the wind, the Genoa can be reefed on a broad reach also.

I am planning on adding a clam cleat to my boom for the furling line since I find the horn cleats awkward to use, especially when the wind is up.

Michael McKay
(630) 209-2054 (m)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 22, 2021, at 12:32 PM, michael meltzer <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com> wrote:
> 
> 10-12 is very norminal conditions, I think what happened, you founds out
> any any sail boat has no streeting control with out water passing over the
> rudder, i.e you lost all your speed and went broad side to the wind while
> trying to get your sails down. That might have not been the best move. Btw
> you still need to go into the wind with IMF to get the pressure off and
> line up the slot. You should have been at hull speed when this started so
> tack/jive early er(leave room for non perfection, something breaks), we all
> blown it from time to time, drop the motor quick if you do not have the
> room, try anchor but hard to do that with out practice.
> 
>> On Thu, Jul 22, 2021, 10:15 AM C. Robert Lester <
>> C.Robert.Lester at dartmouth.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> I see others on this list are racing their R22.
>> 
>> We're currently racing our '84 R22 (Orion) in DIV II with LSCF (Lake
>> Sunapee Cruising Fleet).
>> 
>> Last nights race proved to be an important learning experience that makes
>> me ask some questions.
>> 
>> Has anyone sailed in 12-15 MPH winds on a gusty, fresh water lake?
>> If so, I would love to talk more.
>> 
>> Last night we found ourselves on a port tack, colliding with land on bow,
>> pier on stbd, as we were unable to jive, tack or even motor away from land
>> in time.
>> Furled the Genoa before collision.
>> Unable to furl the IMF main.
>> 12-15 MPH wind put the boom at a broad reach, to where we COULD NOT un
>> cleat and furl the IMF main.
>> My 1st mate jumped onto the pier to reach the boom cleat as the only
>> option.
>> (NOTE: the pier was under construction and there was NO DECKING).
>> 
>> Raised centerboard and motored out of the situation and back to the slip.
>> 
>> Damaged:
>> Fiberglass, where bow collided with rocks.
>> Stbd Side, scuffs from dock collision.
>> Skippers (pride).
>> 
>> Question:
>> Has anyone rigged their main halyard as such that it can be easily
>> operated from the center of the boat, as in the furling line for the
>> headsail?
>> 
>> Happy Sailing everyone!
>> Be safe,
>> 
>> Bob
>> 
>> 
>>