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Trapeze tech in the extreme gusty stuff |
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Topic: Trapeze tech in the extreme gusty stuff Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 1:54pm |
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We sail on the sea and usually get steadyish wind. Our problem occurs when the wind is slightly off shore (directly off shore is more predictable) and blowing through a development of tall and short buildings which extend to the beach. The wind becomes very gusty and unpredictable. Instant gusts and direction changes which swirl up and down the beat. (I can imagine what the lake sailors are thinking ) We cope well in the normal gusty stuff, doing the usual things......so I'm asking do you know any techniques for dealing with "extreme situations" or is it just a case of sail loose and stay off the wire. Edited by GK.LaserII |
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 2:11pm | |
I was thinking it - get yourself to some inland open events
;) Staying off the wire on a trapeze boat is properly slow - although maybe faster than the continual tea bagging. Have your crew calling the gusts and just try and premeditate the gusts and lulls. |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 2:30pm | |
We get similar issues during the Evening races when the
keel boats are racing on parts of the same course. The wind shadow a yot spinnaker creates feels more like a black hole than a lull but at least you can see them coming - usually. |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 2:48pm | |
deleted.....got tangled with the "quote" function Edited by GK.LaserII |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 2:49pm | |
I knew that was comming I know your right, probably the best way to improve, but I really wouldn't want to subject myself to these conditions on a voluntary basis. As I say we can spot the gusts and lulls in most situations....Maybe my eyesight is getting worse but when its as choppy as hell and the gusts seem to just appear out of nowhere......
Good description........In our case usually followed by "where the **** did that come from". Edited by GK.LaserII |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 3:11pm | |
Presumably - and I'm guessing here - with lots of
cunningham on the sail should be bleeding power out the top in the 'normal' wind allowing it to become relatively more powered up in the holes? I'm sure in Skiffybobs case you just maintain a high enough velocity to punch your way through without even noticing the teabagged crews in the boats behind. Edited by ellistine |
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Contender 541
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 05 Location: Burton on Trent Online Status: Offline Posts: 1402 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 3:14pm | |
A a lake sailor, all I can say is welcome to my world! Eyes out of the boat and call the gusts. Talk to each other - constantly. Stop expecting the wind to be where you thought it was going to be. Feel the boat through your feet rather than the horizon / boat thru your eyes. Simple really |
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When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss
Crew on 505 8780 |
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sten
Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 208 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 3:32pm | |
try different rig set ups to see what gives you the best average speed. it will depend on how long the gusts and lulls are what is best or if there is enough warning to change settings as the change comes. I would most likey go for more kicker so when you dump the main the sail shape is still ok, quite a bit of cunningham for twist and a baggy foot to give max power for accelerating and a wider groove to sail in. if its mostly calm patches set up for them and wang a few controls on just before the gusts hit. be very quick to trim the main sheet, make sure the blocks don't have sand in and sheet run smoothly ropes go hard in salt water. mostly it will be your reaction time and how well you can anticipate the changes. the faster you react the less you will have to do. ie an inch out on the main as the gust hits and the boat accelerates and all it well. wait 10 seconds and the boat will be healing and you have to let out 2 arm fulls. smooth steering ferthering in the gusts to give you longer to set the sails and get you weight in the right position. if its a big change you may have to do a sharpe helm movement to save a swim but try to avoid needing to do this. or you will continuosly go from way overpowered to under powered. wire slightly higher so you can move in and out fast and smoothly. eyes out of the boat so you see gusts coming and take oppertunites to make a big gain.
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 3:48pm | |
I'll try that next time What height on the wire would you recommend?.....flat out seems a tad risky. Ellistine:.....The cunnigham gets used if the gusts are likely to overpower us otherwise not, the cunningham is not an easy use control on the L2. Something I can play with though. Related issue: what height is best for the jib cleats (I can bend them). The crew likes to cleat them to do other things but depending on her position they are not usable all the time. |
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 4:01pm | |
Thanks Sten, I shall read and digest. These conditions don't happen that often (fortunately). The directly offshore stuff is hard work but OK. The slightly offshore stuff turns the wind into a food blender with little or no time to think. I have sailed at other gusty locations and the conditions I am talking about are "Etreme"......I like to think we are reasonably good in most conditions, but we are not in the first flush of youth and the crew has a slightly bad knee/ hip / back.......iIt may be time for us to swap places Edited by GK.LaserII |
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