Depowering on a 3 sail Reach

   Its much more effective to bear away and so if you do what the fast asymetrics do you'll be OK and that is don't get close to boats to leeward.  A skilled crew can of course hold the kite with the leading curled in this reduces the heeling forces and enables you to weather the gust a bit.  A flogging kite is a disaster though.  On a boat like the 4000 with no room to bear away, the main goes out first, the spinnaker is curled next and if that doesn't work we swim.

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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 Topic: Depowering on a 3 sail Reach Posted: 08 Sep 09 at 11:38am
	Its much more effective to bear away and so if you do what the fast asymetrics do you'll be OK and that is don't get close to boats to leeward. A skilled crew can of course hold the kite with the leading curled in this reduces the heeling forces and enables you to weather the gust a bit. A flogging kite is a disaster though. On a boat like the 4000 with no room to bear away, the main goes out first, the spinnaker is curled next and if that doesn't work we swim.

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: 08 Sep 09 at 4:07pm
	Boat control and not capsizing are faster - so it may be faster in the long run to 2 sail it. especially if you have no room to leeward or the reach is tight. Another option is to go high 2 sail for half the reach and low 3 sail for the rest.
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk