49er helming and playing main

   Hi all
obviously the proper way to sail a 49er teamed up is to have the crew playing the mainsail. I am considering moving in to the class from a laser4000 as I fancy a challenge. I have some experience of helming from the wire but would need to get up to speed. The crew I sail with is an excellent 4000 crew but he learnt to sail by crewing with me and has limited over all sailing ability - it would be a major step for him to play the main. The likes of an RS800 is therefore very appealing as if I was up to speed then his job would be even easier than on the 4000 due to the 800s self tacking jib. However we are a bit heavy for the 800 ( he is 13stone and I could get to 13.3 stone and be right ). An international14 is therfore also an option and you can get a lot of boat for your money but I am keener on the 49er for some reason......I sail at a club with quite a swell at times which probably counts against the 49er but I there are a few 49ers joining a  circuit in Scotland where I stay and I am therefore more interested in them.
Does anyone know how possible it would be for me to play the main on the 49er even if it meant being a bit less competitive at 1st. Would I be able to attach a block to the decking to aid this. Does anyone else do this - and finally just how big a step in boat handling is a 49er in a force 4 compared with an RS800.
Cheers
Mike

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micmac37 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote micmac37 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 49er helming and playing main Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 9:05pm
	Hi all obviously the proper way to sail a 49er teamed up is to have the crew playing the mainsail. I am considering moving in to the class from a laser4000 as I fancy a challenge. I have some experience of helming from the wire but would need to get up to speed. The crew I sail with is an excellent 4000 crew but he learnt to sail by crewing with me and has limited over all sailing ability - it would be a major step for him to play the main. The likes of an RS800 is therefore very appealing as if I was up to speed then his job would be even easier than on the 4000 due to the 800s self tacking jib. However we are a bit heavy for the 800 ( he is 13stone and I could get to 13.3 stone and be right ). An international14 is therfore also an option and you can get a lot of boat for your money but I am keener on the 49er for some reason......I sail at a club with quite a swell at times which probably counts against the 49er but I there are a few 49ers joining a circuit in Scotland where I stay and I am therefore more interested in them. Does anyone know how possible it would be for me to play the main on the 49er even if it meant being a bit less competitive at 1st. Would I be able to attach a block to the decking to aid this. Does anyone else do this - and finally just how big a step in boat handling is a 49er in a force 4 compared with an RS800. Cheers Mike
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Isis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Isis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:14pm
	Attaching a block to the deck is a definate no-no but theres no reason why the helm cant play the main if he has too although its proven not to be as effective If your current crew is 'excellent' as you describe it wouldnt be too much of a step up for him to learn to take the main, and probibly not the biggest problem you'll face moving up to a 9er

Guest Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 21 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guest Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:19pm
	I'd say it is a no go to play the main without a jammer .... Just give it to the crew - he's a big boy now and will soon work out what to do. I'd rather sail the 49er over the 800 any day. Rick

Calum_Reid Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 59	Post Options Post Reply Quote Calum_Reid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:23pm
	My friend ben crews a 49er and says that playing the main is very hard work. I wld imagine its gona be very tiering doing that and trying to helm.


49erGBR735HSC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote 49erGBR735HSC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:31pm
	Why not experiment in the 4000 first? Get your crew to play the main on the 4000 to allow them to get the "knack" and you'd be able to move into the 49er more confidently. Most newer 14s are going with boom sheeting too, so if you got a competitive 14, you'd most likely be faced with the same problem.
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les5269 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1530	Post Options Post Reply Quote les5269 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:45pm
	I have just gone to the 49er from a 5000 (before that a 4000) I play the main it's not as hard as it's made out,BUT my helm gives me loads of feedback on what is going on and what I am doing.I am just a crew (helmed a contender on and off for a couple of years) though really I am a very good crew with a very good helm .My suggestion would be give it a go it's great fun.If it doesn't work you can always sell it and try something else! Been told I'm only an adequate crew by my helm Edited by les5269
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Iain C Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iain C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:50pm
	My Cherub's set up the same way as the niner. As long as someone has a "feel" for the boat they will be fine. Biggest mistake and when it goes wrong is when they just stare up at the mainsail and suddenly before you know it you see water at the top of the mast... I get them to not really look at it, what the main looks like is irrelevant as long as the boat is flat. Get them to turn their body, look down at the bow (for trim, very important on a Cherub) and they will be able to see the horizon to keep the boat flat. And also, no messing about, two hands on the sheet and big hand over hand movements. You'll be amazed how much harder the crew can drive it upwind in a blow. Let's face it, if they drop the sheet on a 4 tonner you're going swimming anyway...
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les5269 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1530	Post Options Post Reply Quote les5269 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:56pm
	I agree I look at the bow and what is happening in front,also driving the boat seems to be easier if you are fully concentrated on the main only, not the tiller
	49er 531 & 5000 5025 and a mirror(now gone to mirror heaven)! Grafham water Sailing Club The greatest inland sailing in the country

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: 18 Nov 05 at 10:08am
	The crew has to take the mainsheet. Try and go out sailing in 8 knots or so for your first sail, then maybe up to 12. Do not go out in 20 knots + until you have sorted out your boat handling. Don't worry it will happen!
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