Sailing The Tayana 37 Ketch - Tayana 37 Operation & Maintenance Manual

in the sport.
As the wind rises to about 18 knots, you are likely to get better performance if you take
a reef in the main. Your yacht has been set up for jiffy or slab reefing. When you reef, it
is best to loose your sheet somewhat to get pressure off the sail (do not simply let it fly),
raise the end of the boom with the topping lift, pull the clew reefing line tight until the
first reefpoint at the leech becomes the clew. Then loose the halyard and pull the reef
point on the luff down to the reefing hook.
When the wind gets between 22 and 25 knots, you will probably feel the need for a
second reef in the main. Remember, if you think you should reef--reef! As the wind
increases, if you are sailing relatively close to the wind, it is better to remove the staysail
first and leave the jib flying; if, on the other hand, you are on a broad reach, it is better
to remove the jib and proceed under main and staysail. Remember, you cannot sail a
cutter well under mainsail alone. The position of the mast generally prevents good
balance and weather helm can make the yacht unmanageable. The TAYANA 37 will
balance, however, under staysail alone, and the yacht will do very well in 40 knots or so
of wind with the staysail alone drawing.
SOUTHERN OFFSHORE YACHTS Generally recommends a sail inventory that
includes a light weather sail such as a three quarter ounce cruising -spinnaker, spanker.
or whatever name you prefer for such a sail. This sail will add greatly to your pleasure
and boat speed in light winds--say up to 12 knots. At greater wind speeds, working sails
do fine. A Genoa is great for close wind work, but it is very bulky and difficult to stow.
You will find that the TAYANA 37 has an amazing turn of speed under almost any
wind conditions. You are going to surprise a lot of people out there when you go sailing
by them. You will find that tacking is easy, and there is really no excuse for getting into
irons even in light breezes. When you tack allow the yacht to go well through the wind--
get her going off the wind and gradually bring her up close. You will find that you will
tack through 90 degrees with working sails in breezes of eight knots or more.
B. SAILING THE TAYANA 37 KETCH
Much of what was said above about sailing the cutter applies to sailing the ketch. Set
your sails from fore to aft, shape the sails for wind conditions, and give her the proper
balance. When reefing is called for, always take your first reefs in the main. In the ketch,
you can achieve a very fast reduction in sail by dropping the main altogether. The yacht
will balance well and stand up to winds in the 25 to 30 knot region. When you are hard
on the wind you will find that your mizzen becomes quite useless. Don't be tempted to
haul the mizzen boom to windward to try to get the mizzen drawing; this simply puts a
brake on your performance. Bite the bullet and take the mizzen off when close to the
wind, and your performance will be at its best. Similarly, on a run you may want to get
the mizzen down. In light winds when you have a light air sail flying, you may find the
mizzen interferes with the more efficient sails forward. In heavy air, the mizzen may add
little or no performance and become too much for a short handed crew to bother with.
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