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What gives a boat 'height'? |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
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Topic: What gives a boat 'height'? Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 11:20am |
We seem to be struggling for height when sailing upwind in
our Vago. I appreciate that a Vago isn't going to be setting the world a light in it's upwind abilities but I'm sure we used to be able to go higher than we are at the moment. I'm steering to the telltales yet the burgee doesn't seem to point as far forward as it used to. What are the key attributes of a boat that allows it to sail higher into the wind? |
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 11:35am |
Sounds to me like you have been sailing in conditions with a bit of wind shear. And you need to sail with a little more twist. Let the kicker off and the top have of the sail won't stall so much. Is the main top leach tell tail streaming?
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Guest
Newbie Joined: 21 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 11:48am |
The angle of the burgee when sailing upwind will vary depending on how windy it is ... the more wind there is the more it will run down the centreline. I would never look at a burgee upwind unless I am bobbing around on a gravel pit in no wind trying to work out what is going on ... |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 12:03pm |
I'm pretty sure they we're streaming. I've been controlling the leach tension with main rather than kicker when the boom's been on the center line. Perhaps I've been cranking it in too tight? |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 12:04pm |
We sailed last night without the burgee for the first time. It's like a little friend was missing |
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 12:09pm |
Easing off the sheet tension a little sounds a reasonable idea then, I take it it wasn't blowing hard when you weren't pointing?
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 12:32pm |
It was enough for the crew to be out on the wire but with the boom still in on the center line. The wind was dropping throughout the race. The reach to the race course was a right blast! |
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hollandsd
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 852 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 12:58pm |
oversheeting the jib can cause the boat not to point, you need to have a decent slot shape between the main and jib.
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Laser 184084
Tasar 3501 RS600 698 RS600 782 |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 1:08pm |
I've always been a bit unsure about jib sheet tension. I
remember we did a Vago training weekend with Mark Askwith and he has us sheeting the jib in tighter than we ever had before. The bottom of the jib goes completely flat. If we let the jib sheet out an inch and steer to the telltales we go a lot faster (sometimes to the point where the hull starts to hum) but also a lot lower. Perhaps I should be looking at the slot shape. There is a leach tensioner on the back of the jib but we've never touched it. |
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Isis
Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jun 09 at 1:56pm |
The leach line you refer to on the jib should be as loose as possible while preventing leach flutter. On a well made new sail you shouldnt need to touch it.
A lack of height could be any number of things and its impossible to give a decent answer without seeing the boat on the water. That not being possible here the next best option is to try and get some sail trim shots for us (Camera on the centreline looking up at the sails) You said you are down on height but you havent said anything about speed.. are there any other vagos to compare against? I dissagree with Mr Sparrow about the twist. A lack of height is usualy a sign of too much twist. The upper telltail on the main leach should be streaming about 70-80% of the time depending on the boat and conditions. Trimming for max speed does not give you your best VMG upwind. If the crew is on the wire then I assume you are fairly powered up - were you dumping power at all? (easing the sheet) Edited by Isis |
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