Greetings all, Allyn, I experienced the same thing recently while sailing sailing in heavy wind (15-20 with gusts) I was unable to point very high and got better speed on a beam or broad reach. I assumed it was my lack of experience but I wondered if it was sail trim or something with the rudder.
Scott A. 86’ Rhodes22

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 12, 2021, at 6:50 AM, Stephen Staum <snstaum at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> When Doyle made my new genoas they added a luff pad which helps maintain
> the shape as you reef.  My wife doesn't like to heel so even though I don't
> race this was a good addition.  It can be added to an existing sail as well.
> 
> 
> *Thanks and Stay Well,*
> 
> *Stephen Staum*
> *s/v Pinafore*
> 
> *Needham, MA*
> 
> 
> 
>> On Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 5:10 AM Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I’ve had my R22 two years now, and there is so much I like about it. The
>> year I bought it, I learned to race on it and always came in last. I know
>> it’s not a racing boat, but I bought it to do camping with my wife - for
>> cruising and camping under the stars with the cockpit bed, it can’t be
>> beat.
>> 
>> This year, I raced almost every Wednesday and Sunday. We have a fair
>> number of boats in Oklahoma City, but there is usually only 12-15 boats
>> that race Wednesday and maybe 6-8 Sunday.
>> 
>> I have the only R22, and the only boat I can beat is the Catalina 22
>> (without factoring in PHRF - just raw time). There is usually quite a gap
>> between my R22 and the boat in front, which is often a Capri 22. I’ve TLE’d
>> more than I want to admit.
>> 
>> Without buying a second boat, is there anything I can do to be more
>> competitive? I did a bottom job after I bought it and used 4 coats of epoxy
>> and then used ablative (not the best choice for racing, but I did ask
>> around the club for advice before going this route), but I’m not about to
>> redo that. I may have to grin and bear it.
>> 
>> The boat does have the IMF. One thing I’ve battled a lot is the headsail
>> when it’s furled - it’s baggy around the middle section, and the rear stays
>> are taut. I try to keep it unfurled as much as I can, but the wind here is
>> often too gusty. 18-20 mph with gusts around 30.
>> 
>> Is it possible, given these parameters to knock 20+ seconds off the PHRF?
>> 
>> Thanks, all.
>> Allyn