Hiking

The reason for the top batten not popping can also be as a result of a lack of leech tension, especailly a problem in light winds, going downwind.  To solve this pull on a little kicker, this tightens the leech so there is something for the batten to work against so it can pop, then resease the kicker tension after it has gone.  this means that you do not have to roll the boat as vilently in light winds which can be counter productive.  All you have to rememebr is to release the kicker again after the manoeuver.  Also rememebr the batten is adjustable, many people never change their batten tensions, it can make a significant difference in performance if you get it right/wrong for the conditions. 

Sailor girl, I'd love to go to Oz for the B14 worlds, problem is the trip is gonna cost about 3 grand per boat, and thats money I dont have at the moment.  So unless I get a great job/win the lottery/big sponsorship deal I'll just be doing the domestic circuit this year.  The sad thing is I'm getting really quick, I've never been able to sail a boat as fast as I can get the B14 to go. 

Edited by Phil eltringham

Originally posted by Jamie If you value your knees in any way straight leg it.

Always use a good hiking posture – bent legs and convex back.

From http://www.optimist.co.za/national_regatta_preparation.htm talking about hiking benches.

I don't think you can take Laser sailors' preference for straight-legged and apply it to every boat. I'm also not certain straight-legged is even physically possible on an RS400. I've done a lot of Merlin sailing, which is a similar design, and the straps would have to be miles up off the floor to allow straight-legged.

 

On the hiking Q. I sail a Laser most of the time (aside from when I am allowed to play in the 'ball). You have to straight leg hike really. I do find that the sports neoprene knee supports are great (especially the ones with the 'hole' over the kneecap to hold it in place).

I have poor knees and they did suffer before I started hiking 'properly' in my Laser and wearing the knee supports..

The choice is easy really..

However I have to say when I sailed a 400 I could not straight leg hike no matter how long the straps were (same in the Scorp...but I do have long legs).

Give me a trapeze any day (and a symetric kite too......)

Paul

well the further out you manage to extend your body,
the greater the turning moment, and the more
effective. But it's really tiring keeping yourself there
for long... So perhaps those you see extending
themselves(?) are just doing it momentarily - to get a
bit of extra speed - or reacting to a gust...

Originally posted by headfry Some seem to sit on the side of the boat with 'bums' almost in the water, legs bent, looking like a 'rounded' ball on the side of the boat  Others seem to lay much flatter , extending upper body out over the water.

Bum as far outboard as you can bear and trunk more or less vertical from the waist up is the best technique. Bum on the boat and body semi-horizontal (other than temporarily) knackers your back and also gives you less view of incoming gusts. Better to have hurting legs than a hurt back.