General Category - Pearson Owners and Enthusiasts > Boat Handling

P323 Boatspeed

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selene:
Hi David. I claim no great expertise in this area...the Navionics chart was I look on as interesting, but less accurate than the speed chart which I consistently use to check if my trim is good. I find it useful and fairly accurate.

The 110 degrees (55 degrees) pointing ability is also, in my experience, broadly accurate.

Why all the caveats? Well, I sail in the SF Bay; depending on where/when you are, tidal currents can have a huge impact. Yesterday I had a 3kn ebb, which obviously impacts SOG and pointing ability. But I was making 9kn SOG :-)

Even if you take out that variable, local conditions - wave height, direction and frequency, even boat loading - can all affect speed and pointing. As can the cut and age (stiffness) of the sails - older sails with some stretch hurt pointing.

I have been experimenting with rig tension (it is extraordinary to me how "bendy" out boat is as you tension the rig!). I * think* that with a well-tuned rig, and new-ish sails, pointing can get to around 50 degrees - forestay tension in particular seems important. But the shallow keel and the inability to bring the jib in closer than the shrouds probably limits the P323 pointing ability.

So - a bit long-winded, but in summary - as is often the case with boats - many variables involved, but the speed table seems to be pretty good (for me!)

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