49er helming and playing main
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1205
Printed Date: 15 Aug 25 at 4:41am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 49er helming and playing main
Posted By: micmac37
Subject: 49er helming and playing main
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 9:05pm
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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 ------------- Sail well Feel Swell |
Replies:
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:14pm
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:19pm
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: Calum_Reid
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:23pm
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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. ------------- 
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Posted By: 49erGBR735HSC
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:31pm
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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. ------------- Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 http://www.helensburghsailingclub.co.uk/ - Helensburgh S.C http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=560 - Boat Insurance from Noble Marine |
Posted By: les5269
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:45pm
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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
Been told I'm only an adequate crew by my helm ------------- 49er 531 & 5000 5025 and a mirror(now gone to mirror heaven)! http://www.grafham.org/" rel="nofollow - Grafham water Sailing Club The greatest inland sailing in the country |
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! 
Posted By: Iain C
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:50pm
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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...
------------- RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra" |
Posted By: les5269
Date Posted: 17 Nov 05 at 10:56pm
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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)! http://www.grafham.org/" rel="nofollow - Grafham water Sailing Club The greatest inland sailing in the country |
Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 18 Nov 05 at 10:08am
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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! ------------- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 - |