Light Winds
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=1464
Printed Date: 15 Aug 25 at 9:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Light Winds
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Subject: Light Winds
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:04am
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Hi guys, following the bout of light winds we have had at my club. We have had to sail in displacement mode for a fair while. I was just wondering if it was possible to sit too far forward in the boat or if it doesnt matter. A fellow sailor said that we were too far forward ( Transom clean out of water!) and that doing so when a gust hit we were driving the boat towards the fish and not forwards is this true? ------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:27am
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It depends on the boat. Although you can sit too far forward on almost any boat - see what happens when two people sit on the bow of a 29er for instance:-). I'm not sure about the driving towards the fish theory though.
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Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:30am
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What class? In a 2 person skiff one in front of the mast and the other by the shrod is probably about right. In a shngle hander usually as far forward as you can get and still be able to steer properly and see the sail. Rick ------------- |
Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:38am
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Assuming you are talking about a 4 tonner you probably cannot get too far forward if it is drifting condition: put the crew in the play pen and helm as far forward as the tiller extension allows... ------------- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 - |
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:39am
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Cheers Guys, it's a 4k. We will bear that in mind
------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: Bumble
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 11:54am
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For displacement sailing a vessels speed potential is normally calculated (roughly) as a waterline length to sail area ratio. Ive forgotten the name of the ratio but it has been in use for a long time and while doesn't take in all the factors is the best rough performance guide there is. Too far forward and you loose waterline length which in the light stuff will equal speed. Further, I think the transom dragging factor is often overstated - although L4000 does have a big transom...... 'does my transom look big in this?......yes!'
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Posted By: Bumble
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 12:43pm
| For the scorpion the best thing is as a helm to sit where ever you feel most comfortable. Then get the crew to dislocate some joints and roll themselves into the smallest most uncomfortable ball possible. They then must sit to leeward in the little cold, dirty, smelly puddle of water up against the bulk head. If they are going to complain then you need to preempt this with a comment about how good the trim looks. |
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 1:10pm
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I thought wetted surface area was more important than waterline length if it's a drifter. Doesn't waterline length only matter in disturbed water? In the Contender we tend to sit on the 30cm triangle of deck behind the mast and between the lowers, (on the cleats... ouch) and hug the mast/lowers (whilst desparately trying to stop the amount of rake you're carrying from centrering the boom), and holding it against the shroud (without putting any weight on the boom which colapses the leach) with one arm and holding your other at full stretch so you can still hold the extension. Yep, a Contender in light wind really is a joy to sail. ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: Sumo
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 1:22pm
| The key is to get the transom out of the water enough to have smooth flow, but more importantly keep rudder movements to a minimum and keep still so that you keep the air moving over the sails. It is quite suprising how much speed you can pick up by concentrating in the light stuff. |
Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 2:01pm
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4ks go best with the crew in the front and if you are heavy its the only way to get the transom out of the water. Crew up front has the additional advantage of giving some weather helm which is a must in the light stuff. Don't worry about not having all the waterline length, by the time you are going fast enough for that to be a factor the crew will be standing on the rack. Watch out for power boat wake though. |
Posted By: fizzicist
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 3:34pm
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Trick with the 300 is to be huddled up against the mast and pray that you don't slip, otherwise you're in. ------------- Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer. |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 5:53pm
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Capsizing in no wind is very embarrassing; I’ve done it a couple of times in the Musto … Rick ------------- |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 5:54pm
Unless of course its a baking hot summer day, the sweat is dripping down your T shirt and shorts and you're desperate to get cool... |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 6:45pm
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True, the last race at the MPS Gold Cup in Spain was a real drifter and as each boat crossed the line the helm entered the ogin to cool of ... bring on the summer. Rick
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Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 12:51pm
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that was our excuse before there was snow on the ground then it was cleaning the boat. ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: mike ellis
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 3:57pm
| in the feva the bow does drive down in gusts upwin if your sat too far forward. but i have sailed with my crew balancing on the bowsprit upwind. nd i was sat by the shrouds. then it gusted, i hit the side deck and the boat just started plowing itself under to about the mast. i dont think waterline length matters until your both sat on side deck 10 odd knots at least. |