Ken, you are referring to the prototype Nonsuch 26 under sailing trials in the Niagara river. George was pressed for time and rushed the sea trials in a gale without reefing. According to Botts the boat flew all over the river under little or no control. Eventually she was corralled and hauled out. George was furious and had the rudder increased in size. George had named her Little Dipper for her first season. He took her cruising in the North Channel in 1981. The larger rudder and taking in reefs in a blow made her manageable. Altering the rig was out of the question when they were ramping up the production run. Peter Pangman bought her from George and renamed her Mascouche (tubby little bear cub).
The original Hans Fough sails with short battens and a modest leech were well balanced in light airs. Over the years longer battens were adopted and racing sails had a big leach which was OK in light airs common on Lake Ontario. But this sail required reefing early to maintain balance. I found that I needed to reef in about 15 knots to stop the drag from the weather helm impeding her performance. A double reef was required by 30 knots. The increased helm was caused by the last 5 feet of the sail. You will note that my new sail plan eliminates the last five feet of the foot (See photo). Now I can sail in a 30 knot breeze and remain in full control without reefing, which is very reassuring when in one’s 80’s sailing single handed. In practice, I usually reef when the breeze is in the 20’s. However, I find with the effects of global warming one can start out with a comfortable summer breeze which can morph into a gale without notice. One has to be prepared.
John Newell
Mascouche 26c 1
Toronto
