Trying a Vareo

My experience of helm trapezing is that the transitions are what take all the effort and energy. Once on the wire I would agree with Dan that it would be 20% of the effort of hiking.

Originally posted by rb_stretch Once on the wire ... 20% of the effort of hiking.

If the breeze is steady enough and even enough that you can get out there and stay out there with a minimal number of tacks.
And if not, well you guys will find out as age gets to you.

With the effort of hiking thing, I guess one factor might ne how.much faster you go for the extra effort. With a Solo for instance its not going to go much faster up the beat no matter how hard you hike, bevause its just digging further in to a huge bow wave. I wonder if things might be different with a more easily driven boat?
With the IC we're way past the planing point by the time we reach the end of the plank. Maybe, and I'm just guessing here, the in between performance regime is where body destroyong hiking pays most!

Edited by JimC - 17 Nov 13 at 8:53am

Originally posted by yellowwelly Cheers Dougal- although we need to be careful; furball, massive breeze (off the forum wind richter scale ) well, it'd put anything to shame!!!!! Except a 420- an honourable trail monkey in such conditions!!!!

Originally posted by Dougal Originally posted by winging it Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by rb_stretch Once on the wire ... 20% of the effort of hiking. If the breeze is steady enough and even enough that you can get out there and stay out there with a minimal number of tacks. And if not, well you guys will find out as age gets to you. Dead right Jim.  I'm at the age where being on the wire is lovely, but gertting there is getting tough and marginal is hell.  Hence the gradual transition from a contender to a boat with a high boom and built in knee support - I am a very lazy hiker. All roads lead to the Solo.....

 

Effort put in is rewarded whatever you're sailing. I've sailed my 'ball with 'passive' and 'active' crews and go a damn sight faster with the guy up front doing some work instead of just hanging there. This applies both upwind and down.