165 in strong breeze

[Eddie C]

I'm still in the learning curve in my first season with the '96 165 and have been out only 5 times this season. Had a really good afternoon about 2 weeks back. Forecast was for 13 mph gusting to 25. Reality was more like 25 with lulls down to 13. Started out downwind with no main and 3/4 of the jib unfurled. The sails are original to the boat. Had a gentle, pleasant sail downwind- very rare to have any consistent breeze on this little lake. After about 3 or 4 miles I hove to to put up the main with a double reef. I had never tried heaving to in any of my numerous previous boats. It took a try or two to cross the wind under jib alone but the 165 came through. No trouble raising the sail while hove to, without using the motor. Never thought I would use the second reef in the main but it set nice and flat. With the jib fully out and the double reef I continued on another 3 miles or so broad reaching with the occasional controlled jibe. Tacking back towards home the gusts may have dropped to the lower 20s but were still quite strong. The boat handled beautifully and seemed to be at hull speed much of the time. According to the mounted compass, tacks were about 100 degrees, maybe a pinch more. Out of 4 or so miles of beating, the tendency to round up was not excessive. The breeze finally dropped to the low teens, the reef was taken out for a nice beat most of the way home. The Suzuki 2.5 finished the short trip back. Love that motor! Out of 40 plus years of trying to sail on this lake, this was one of my more satisfying sails. I'm very pleased with the 165. Perfect little boat for my needs.

[Brian N.]

13-25 knots is certainly the top end for the boat. The area where I sail builds some nasty chop and waves at about 15, which makes sailing very unpleasant. I've had good sails on the main alone and found the boat "difficult" with just the jib. I've also found that she tacks tighter than 100 deg, but I've measured it with magnetic compass, not the GPS, and from pinching on starboard to pinching on port. The boat is very well behaved and easy to sail, with a moderate tendency to round up in a gust. The boat also fits the way I sail and the venue very well. Glad you are enjoying your time sailing herYou cannot view this attachment.

[tjspiel]

Sounds like a great day!

"Heaving to" comes in handy for sure and I'm glad someone taught me how. Do it all the time now.

Adding another set of reef points is something I've been considering. Like Brian has found with his 165, my P-18 sails pretty well with just the main. So most times the main with a single reef and little to no jib out keeps things manageable.

And I sail often enough that I can afford to wait another day if the wind is too much or even just wait a few hours because it typically drops in the evening. But once in awhile I do get envious of those out there enjoying a breezy day by virtue of having a 2nd reef.

[Eddie C]

Thanks for the responses. My 'jib only' sailing was all downwind except for rounding up to heave to. Haven't sailed much with only the main but will keep it in mind. Have had little experience this year in the 8 - 12 range but will recheck tacking angles in more moderate conditions when I get a chance. The 3 races I've been in were all drifters. Regards

[DBthal]

Have had little experience this year in the 8 - 12 range but will recheck tacking angles in more moderate conditions when I get a chance.

Brian N (above) is our most experienced P-165 sailor on the site who shares good input on the boat.

For me, 8-12 knots of wind is the sweet spot for the P-165. Since the sea breeze in my area usually builds to 12-18 knots, I typically "heave to" and reef the main most sailing sessions.

[Quantico Frank]

For me, 8-12 knots of wind is the sweet spot for the P-165. Since the sea breeze in my area usually builds to 12-18 knots, I typically "heave to" and reef the main most sailing sessions.

Dan, do you sail with the jib up or down when you're sailing on a reefed main? My order of reducing sail has been to first strike the jib, then reef the main, then finally take down and tie up the rest of the main and motor home. I'm curious what others do on the P165.

[Brian N.]

 8-12 knots is the sweet spot for the P165 and probably for most of us sailing smaller boats. 15 knots is ok as long as the wave action is not so bad and at 20 time to go home. Like Frank, I'll douse the jib first, reef the main next then motor home. The P165 is a "well behaved" boat, but pounding waves gets old real fast.

[DBthal]

Dan, do you sail with the jib up or down when you're sailing on a reefed main? My order of reducing sail has been to first strike the jib, then reef the main, then finally take down and tie up the rest of the main and motor home. I'm curious what others do on the P165.

Frank,

Since I'm usually already out with full sail when the wind comes up, I heave to and reef the main. If I need to reduce sail more I furl the jib.

Not sure if this is the right sequence to reduce sail, but it has worked well for me.

Dan

[tjspiel]

I'm not sure what the right order is or if there is a right order. Might be just different sets of pros and cons.

If you have a better means of keeping the boat pointed into the wind than a "Bungie 2000" (as Brian calls it), then you can lower the jib first. Better visibility and one less thing to manage in an emergency maneuver. 

But if like me your auto pilot is a "Bungee 2000" which I don't trust to keep my boat pointed into the wind on a high wind day, I like to have the jib out so I can heave to. Otherwise, trying to reef without a jib is a challenge. So that's a plus for reefing first.

The boat might also be a bit better balanced with a jib but as I've said before my boat sails fine on just a main. I do it all the time. If I'm docking or mooring the jib is down or furled.

[DBthal]

I like to have the jib out so I can heave to. Otherwise, trying to reef without a jib is a challenge. So that's a plus for reefing first.

Tom,

I think keeping the jib up to allow "heaving to" is a really good point to consider.

Dan

[Riggerdood]

My preferred method when it pipes up is to roll in a bit of jib, then heave to and reef the main. IMHO, it is better to reduce sail evenly between both sails to maintain balance, than to completely take down one or the other. I realize this doesn't apply to hanked on jibs, but even they can be slab reefed if equipped (ever wonder what those hooks on your stemhead are for?). If it starts to get really gnarly, which sail I remove from the equation depends on what point of sail I will be on to get back to safe harbor.

Good point about leaving all or some of the jib up/out to retain the ability to heave to.