Fastest route down wind

does

   Letting the kicker off lots allows the sail to twist forward at the top, which can help you to bear away and go staight down-wind or by-the-lee.
BUT too much twist and the pressures alter quickly, and the top of the mast suddenly is pushing towards you, not away from you. This will cause a quick roll followed by a slow swim: but just before you swim you will be going very quick!

Its all a matter of time in the boat to find the right balance.

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ChrisJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisJ Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Fastest route down wind Posted: 21 Dec 09 at 4:55pm
	Letting the kicker off lots allows the sail to twist forward at the top, which can help you to bear away and go staight down-wind or by-the-lee. BUT too much twist and the pressures alter quickly, and the top of the mast suddenly is pushing towards you, not away from you. This will cause a quick roll followed by a slow swim: but just before you swim you will be going very quick! Its all a matter of time in the boat to find the right balance.

zailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 10 May 09 Location: Penparc Online Status: Offline Posts: 249	Post Options Post Reply Quote zailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 09 at 1:56pm
	I would recomend the rooster DVD or something as a picture speaks a thousand words and a video explaining it all would be more effective than a forum post IMO. However all the tips above are perfectly correct taking words from a post and puting it into action on the water is dificult.

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 09 at 12:51pm
	I get the feeling juniorgyber is a novice and would like a simpler answer. All those above are correct and are ellaborations on a theme which I would say is this. Sail straight for the mark, on dead run if neccesary, however if its blowy enough to cause you problems it might be safer to sail 5 degrees higher and gybe part way down the leg.

Garry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536	Post Options Post Reply Quote Garry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 09 at 8:53am
	Add clear wind to the list. It is dependent on the boat and conditions as stated above, in planning conditions it is normally quickest to head up to get planning and then bear away as low as possible still maintaing the speed. Stay in any gust for as long as possible and on the gybe that gets you to the leeward mark quickest. In lighter winds dead down wind is often quickest if the wind is even, if not get to the side with more wind (more wind first). Stayed singlehanders can also be sailed by the lee and sometimes this is faster in marginal conditions. You will also sometimes find the waves kinder to surf on in one direction and as a result it pays to sail different angles on each gybe. Garry
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

Captain Morgan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Morgan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 Dec 09 at 1:20am
	Some would advocate going totally off wind and gybing down the run. This does depend on your gusts, waves, etc. as Doug H has mentioned. I assume that different classes have their own preferred techniques - Go with what the Class Association is (currently) advising! Then again, experiment and spend time in the boat - I found different techniques work which might not be considered to be ideal did work for me.

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 18 Dec 09 at 10:17pm
	Put simply If there's waves, play the waves. If there's gusts, make sure you're in them. And remember, you're allowed a pump per wave or gust..... So USE IT!

juniorgyber Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 08 Nov 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote juniorgyber Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Dec 09 at 10:10pm
	Hi, Could I ask some of the forum experts a question: Is the fastest route down wind in a single hander with a stayed rig, but no spinnaker (Phantom Supernova, Soluton etc), normally dead down wind, or by gybing reach to reach? Or does it vary based on the class of boat, wind strength or weight of helm etc? Does whether it's flat water or waves also make a difference? Thanks, Junior