u/timeport-0

Was a bit gustier than we were comfortable with. The gusts were heeling us over 20+ degrees at times, so we wound up reefing halfway through.

After that, though, we were underpowered.

I think the new headsail may just be a little too small. It’s closer to a 110%, whereas the old one was around a 150%. In the heavier gusts, once the autopilot could no longer keep up, I’d take over manually, and even with hard rudder to the leeward side the boat was barely maintaining heading. I’d have to ease the mainsheet a bit to regain control. I'm thinking too much pressure on the main vs not enough on the headsail was spinning the stern around.

And yes, I know the main halyard needed more tension too — something was preventing it from going fully up, so I just sailed with it as-is. The main halyard is really undersized anyway and needs to be replaced.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vZnbqZVHWQQRNhkp7

I don't think I've ever seen wires come off the side of a pole/tower like that in a professional setting. It's something your CB buddy or some hams would do.

This is out in front of Equinix datacenter in Carteret https://maps.app.goo.gl/iz7RCmXEkQGLFFT1A