Catalac Tacking Angles?

[catalac08]

Just been following a lively discussion of TA on the YM/ PBO forums. Despite having had my 8M for the best part of 16 years I have never actually measured my TA. I just feel it is not very good. What tacking angles do other Catalac owners achieve?

[Baste]

With my 9m I am as best able to tack through 100 degrees from best VMG to wind on one tack to best VMG to wind on the next tack measured as COG on my gps. Measured against apparent wind (AWA) my TA is about 70 degrees.

[Baste]

What makes you think your TA is not very good?

[catalac08]

What makes you think your TA is not very good?

I think I tack through about 110 degrees?

[dmmbruce]

I thought that 100 to 110 degrees was about normal for old design cats.

Mike

[Baste]

100 to 110 isn't that bad.
I used to do about 110 - 115 degrees, guided by the telltales only. Then I got a wind instrument that I could connect to my gps to display VMG to wind. I found out that sailing slightly closer to the wind and slightly slower substantially improved my VMG to wind. With a TA of 110 I sail faster but at 100 degrees I actually get to windward faster. Of course only with a good breeze and flat water.

[dmmbruce]

I know it is irrelevant to the thread, but how can you have "a good breeze and flat water" A good breeze makes waves!

Mike

[Baste]

In sheltered waters behind an island or with the wind blowing from land or when the wind is just starting to increase and waves not yet have grown.