RS200 sailing

I think Rick sails a 200 a bit so I've been hoping for his response or from lucy as I think she's had several top results but as I've had a couple of top 3 results at Fat Face events I guess I should comment.

First, you are a bit light - around 17st when the real top crews such as the Hewitsons are around 20st. I sail with 21st but I'm still not as quick as them in a blow - in fact only last weekend, they won a very windy (F5 gusting F7) event with me third - and they were quicker upwind. Why? - well a lot of it has little to do with their rig. First they work very hard - so you need to be fit, and able to hike the whole race. Second they sail as a team - so in every big gust , both sails are eased a little - (and together) and they hike even harder and then they sheet both sails in again - together. They rarely seem to 'stuff' and in fact twice sailed low and out through my lee after rounding a leeward mark behind me. their tacking is smooth and coordinated and of course they (usually) go the right way.

Maniac has most of the rig advice about right.

In a real blow such as at the weekend, we almost all sail with increased rake. I'd guess you'll need to rake earlier and even more than most. To lose power, flatten the sail by applying lots of kicker and even more downhaul (cringle touching the boom if needed) as this does open the leach. The main is rarely sheeted in more than a foot off centreline, and often out as far as the corner of the transom. Make sure your bridle isn't too short as this will increase leach tension and sheet loads. In these conditions, the Jib is never sheeted max tight as when main is sheeted out, an oversheeted jib will drag you sideways. Also very important to have the Jib track right to the back to open it's leach and avoid choking the slot.

Sit slightly further back in boat and if you need to stuff, don't 'saw' the tiller from side to side, try to find a comfortable angle with say the front 100mm of the jib just about backing and try to settle at that angle.

All easier said than done, but at the end of the day, just sailing, gaining experience and hopefullly a little weight will pay off for you eventually.

It might also be an idea to ask around the fleet and get a crewing job with a top sailor if you can. And of course make sure you capitalise on your weight advantage when the conditions suit you!

Good luck.

Eat more cake!

In seriousness- I m,ostly crew in 200s, but I've sailed with various helm, and trhe guys at the top of the fleet tend to use the downhaul, and easing main as the first methods of depowering, only putting large amounts of kicker on when it is seriously windy.