L4000 / 29er ratings

It happens in most modern skiffs that don't have smaller rigs when it gets windier. The 29er's kite starts collapsing in about 25knots, its because the drag on the sails and boat stop it accelerating as Yann said so the apprent wind moves closer to the true wind angle. This is why the main loads up and then kite collapses behind the main. There is a trick to keep the kite set in 29ers but does require good teamwork as if you start doing it too much the rudder starts to cavitate from an increase in the angle of attack and the crew has to flog the kite very quickly to regain control.

 

yeah but it really doesnt happen like that, when it gets to above 25kts ish (depending on boat) you can struggle to hold enough power to make it accelerate enough to make the apparent wind stay forward. like a 5kt gust hits and your boat doesnt accelerate anywhere near 5 knots so the apparent drops back again.

my experiance of it was in 29ers and theres nothing we found to do about it. just watch it flap once in the big gust and try to keep it upright and get it going again. ive heard it happens most assymetrics in enough breeze.

(im not trying to say it happens often but it certainly can do)


Edited by Yann

when does dat happen?? apparent wind just shift wind angel foreward more and more and more  as you go faster and faster and faster. n when by the true wind ahgle u shud be on the other tack.... now dats fast n fun .......well unless of coures u stack it and your helm dies

What the modern skiff type boats do have is a modern rig.  Their adjustability is a revelation (but then I used to sail a Laser).  Its quite possible to make my boat feel underpowered in 20Knots and yet fully powered in 8.  The hulls too contribute to the ability of the boats in high winds.  Mine does drag its bum in the light stuff but the minimal rocker, and slim waterline does mean that as the wind gets stronger it just goes faster, unlike the more conventional hulls which seem to have a speed barrier which they will not exceed.

For those of you who haven't tried one consider this.  You put the kite up and being a big kite they really go very fast.  When you get hit by a gust you bear away and go faster still and if you get hit by another, stronger gust, you simply bear away a bit more and go even faster.  It seems endless - the more wind the faster and deeper you go.  The only snag is the manouevers which can be tricky since you have a narrow hull and a big rig.

neiowming- as in neiowm eg the sound a motor bike makes when it goes past you really fast......im not mad really