pleasure v racing

   Most of my sailing recently has only been racing or training, but "pottering" is possible. They are the kind of days when the wind is nothing special, but you just want to get on the water with no particular objective in mind other than to have fun . There is no point in sailing if you can't have fun every so often!  

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Sarah B Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 92	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sarah B Report Post Quote Reply Topic: pleasure v racing Posted: 13 Dec 04 at 8:41am
	Most of my sailing recently has only been racing or training, but "pottering" is possible. They are the kind of days when the wind is nothing special, but you just want to get on the water with no particular objective in mind other than to have fun . There is no point in sailing if you can't have fun every so often!
	A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

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: 11 Dec 04 at 7:43pm
	There's no reason why you can't do both although it's easier on some boats than others. When I sailed at Weir Quay we used to have organised cruises (so you got the advantage of safety cover and company). With something like a 400 you might need to find a way to take the power off as the wind gets up. Reefing used to be the thing to do but that's not possible on most modern boats that have been primarily designed for racing. Maybe someone knows if you can use a 200 sail on a 400 and how much power you loose as a result / balance etc.
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

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: 10 Dec 04 at 11:59pm
	I'm sure the 400 is great for cruising. Its always nice to have something which can buck the tide in light winds just so long as when it blows up you can handle it. Practice getting the main down and tidied up whilst afloat and then if you are upwind when it begins to blow you can always drop the main and get back under jib alone. At the same time check out how high you can sail the boat with just the jib. Finally always tell someone responsible where you are going so if you have to land, or break something or even have to abandon getting back they can find you easily before they launch the helicopters!

Jon Emmett Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Emmett Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 04 at 6:14pm
	Personnally I only ever race or train. I have never simply gone out for a 'potter' about! Training hard means you enjoy the racing more!!!
	Be Your Own Tactics Coach

Harry44981! Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 736	Post Options Post Reply Quote Harry44981! Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 04 at 4:54pm
	You should retitle the thread ''pleasure and racing'' cos they usually happen at the same time (mostly ) But im sure you could do that lazee stuff in a 400 if you wanted.

headfry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Jul 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 359	Post Options Post Reply Quote headfry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 04 at 4:45pm
	Pleasure v racing Anyone out there ever sailed something thats built for racing, but just had a jolly little sail in her? I am not sure how to word my question, ..... so a little patience please Anyone ever used An RS 400 for one of those nice lazy summers day type of sails. Can a 400 be used in this way....... or is it just a flat out boat? I want to have fun as well as race, so far all I hear of 400's is wild, wild, wild. Yes, I want wild, but a lot of fun too and the odd lazy mooch round the pond or coast. Please don't suggest a Wayfarer etc., they are lovely but, not for me.The 400 is the one for me, just want to know what I can expect!