Light Wind Sailing in Getaway

The very first sail I took on my Getaway was in light breeze. Was disappointing. Haven't tried sailing in less than 8 kts wind since. Other posters have stated that Getaway is a good light wind boat, so I'm wondering what others have found to be useful tactics. IF I go out in 3-5 kt breeze, what can I expect? I'm considering adding a windseeker jibsail free flying from masthead to mid-front spreader. Where I sail has 2 kt or more current-which would be great if it were taking me to weather, but half the time it is the other way.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Few multi-hulls are good light air boats. There are some things you can do to help performance in light air however. For example - where you sit affects boat trim. On light air days you may find that the boat performs better if you sit closer to the center, or even all the way on the leeward side. This gets a little heel going helps the boat move. If you have passengers try to have them sit where you get the proper fore and aft trim for best performance. Adjust batten tension to get more shape in the sail - this will give you more power in low wind and help get the boat moving.

I usually lessen tension in battens in light breeze...so I don't have to look up and see the top half of the sail facing the wrong way. Especially without a boom on the Getaway, it is tough to get the top battens to pop over if they are too tight. I also plan to bring the traveler all the way windward (will have to rig additional lines for the Getaway) and reduce mast rake. But, these are strategies I've used in other boats; as I said, I've been reluctant to take Getaway out in the light stuff since my first attempt.

I'm just looking for feedback from other owners what they've noted when they sail in light stuff. If I can't make 2 kts VMG in 5 kt breeze, I'll just stay home since I'll be deploying motor anyway to keep current from sweeping me backwards. But I'll still probably make the windseeker just for the fun of it.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I don't know that there is a "good" light wind boat. But I've found increasing batten tension to give me more sail draft, and moving the main block to the furthest back hole does raise power noticeably. When the top battens don't flip, I grab the sail and give it a shake to flip them.

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

The fully battened mainsail gets its shape from the sailcloth and mast bend primarily. Particularly in crosscut sails like we have. If you want to maximize draft, you minimize mast bend. Since we can't control halyard tension (damn hook) and since cunningham only works for about the first two battens (so leave it off in light breeze). All we can do in light breeze is lessen mainsheet tension. The battens are there primarily to support the excessive roach at the back of the sail. Sure, you can tighten or loosen them for conditions, but I've found over the years that lighter tension keeps me from having to pop the battens over as aggressively. Of course, there are cheating racers who keep the battens tight so that they can "WAVE" the boom for thrust in the really light stuff but say...I was just popping the battens over! In light stuff, keeping things quiet to establish and maintain flow over the air foil is important so wasting time waving the mainsail about just keeps you from getting that flow established.

Putting the mainsheet in the back hole is a good strategy. Now that I think about it, I might even add a little extension bar and hook the mainsheet to the end of that bar...THAT would definitely put more camber into the sail. I noted when reefed that I had a more powerful (if shorter) mainsail because my sheet point was too far aft. Thanks for the thought.

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Well, tried the things above and went out in 5 kt "breeze". The extension to the mainsail clew didn't work very well as it twisted off--basically needs more support further forward on the foot of the sail=which is do'able. Hoisting the jib so it is pinned at the top instead of the bottom of the forestay worked OK. The sheet point is nearly straight down so the jib had a big belly. The loosening of the battens didn't help that much to have them transition in tacks, still had to use the clew to "pop" them to the right side.

As is typical in really light stuff, everything moves slowly and it may take minutes to find the correct angle to the wind so the sails are all working together. But I am encouraged, the boat did sail. Downwind the symspin caught what breeze there was and moved us against the little current. If I ever get the kite polyester fabric from China, I'll build the windseeker and go out again.

It was in the 60s temp wise and sunny and very little current, so it was nice even though we weren't going anywhere fast. They say that light wind sailing separates the good sailors from the others, I don't know about that, but I always feel a sense of accomplishment whenever I'm able to move the boat in conditions that make sailing hard. Of course, it is with chagrin that I watched a kayaker pass me...

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R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II