fastest point of sail

I have two different sources, each claiming a different point of sail is the fastest on a catamaran. Obviously this is assuming optimal sail trim and same wind speed for the situation.
One says that a beam reach is the fastest, and one says that a broad reach is the fastest.
To make sure I have my terminology correct, a beam reach is perpendicular to the wind and a broad reach is pointing a little downwind from perpendicular; correct?
I have a 16, but I would think that size wouldn't matter; for this anyway.

Which is really faster?

Thanks.

Sloop rigged cats? Ever so slightly, the broad reach is faster, the boat is more stable, being flatter in the water, and the tendancy to pitch forward (stuff the lee hull) as opposed to heel over (more weight on the trapeze please) is the limiting factor.

When the bow stuffing becomes the limit of your speed, some will tell you all cats are not the same and fastest point of sail for each particular cat may then be debatable. If you could add weight in each case, it would be easier to add weight in the proper location for beam reach. But you said all things being equal...

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HCANA Class Member

SCREEEEEMMIINNNGGG REEEEEEEAACCHHH!!!

You may think you're on a broad reach but you didn't factor in the change in the apparent wind vs. true wind direction.

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Happy Sailing,

David

David:

Been there on 16 in 80. That is when one ass cheek is hanging off rear crossbar, crew is damm near in your lap, bows are MAYBE 1/4 inch out of water, PUMPING mainsheet constantly and you are 1 milly second from PITCHPOLE.

That is a "SREAMMING REACH"

Doug

Doug...CLASSIC!

A little faster on that 16? How about skipper on trapeze, back foot on transom, front foot on rear of corner casting, crew on trapeze, back foot in foot strap, front foot on rail. Mind you this requires a minimum 15 knot breeze to avoid tea-bagging on the trapeeze. If your rudders need some shaping up you'll know it because they'll howl to beat the band (think that's where the "screaming" name came from). The milli-seconds leading up to pitchpole sure are fun, because it's not IF, it's WHEN you pitchpole.

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HCANA Class Member

haha....what is tea bagging in sailing terms?

That should be when you ass is dragging in the water and harness is grabbing water like a tea cup. BUT usually doesn't happen for long as your weight will usually pull the boat over to weather if you don't come in FAST!!!

Doug

On my 17Sport, I've found a slightly broad reach (just off beam) to be the fastest for me with the main traveled 2/3 of the way out and sheeted in tight (winds 18+). The Jib is also traveled out ~3/4 (my front crossbeam has the integrated track and modified H-16 integrated track cars) and sheeted in just enough to not backwind the leading edge. Sitting as far back as possible on the windward wing and leaning out/back, with the windward hull just touching the water, I've been up in upper 20's and once to 30.5 mph.

Yeah, my sailing buddy and I were laughing about him teabagging, of course someone heard us and started making fun of us for our weekend activities.

That was when I looked up the other definintion of teabagging...

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

You didn't need to look it up.....

Get the boat moving on a beam reach. As the forward motion increases, the apparent wind will move the bridle fly into what appears to be a close reach. Keep footing off so the bridle fly indicates you're on a beam reach.

If the wind is blowing at a decent speed, you'll foot off into a broad reach referencing the true wind, but the boat is on a beam reach in reference to the apparent wind.

As the speed increases you will need to move the skipper and crew to the rear of the boat. It may require putting either one on a trap to keep the bows up. Otherwise, the dreaded pitch pole will occur.

I love screaming reaches!!

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Simpler solution....buy a boat that doesn't pitch as easily... kidding.

Good info, I had always thought beam reach was the fastest.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!