Technique: Flying a hull

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Flying a hull

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Multihulls
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for multihull questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7165
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 1:43am
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Topic: Flying a hull

Posted By: ellistine
Subject: Flying a hull
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 1:55pm

Just had an excellent week of sailing in Greece on one of those Neilsons beach holiday things.

Thoroughly enjoyed bombing around in a Dart 16, scarring myself half wittless when the windward hull started to fly.

What's the procedure for keeping the hull flying? Do you just play the main (or the traveller) or is it just a steering thing (as with the General Lee in the Dukes of Hazard)?

Replies:

Posted By: English Dave
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 2:44pm

Upwind? Get the traveller into the middle and play the mainsheet. The downhaul on a D16 isn't up to job of power control as it would be on a F18. Don't pinch! Also you can't fly the hull too high on a D16 as the main beam catches in the water and the boat slows.

With regard to the steering thing. Yes when you get a huge gust you'll luff. The trick is to bear off gradually when the gust goes so as not to teabag the crew.

Want some fun? Make a longer tiller anyway you can (gaffa tape + broomstick works ok) and go solo on a D16. Keep the jib on. Great fun on a reach and recoverable in a capsize.

Downwind? Unlikely its going to happen. The D16 has no centreboards and this makes it hard to fly a hull consistently downwind.

Didn't I try to persuade you to buy a Dart18 before you went and bought a Vago? Maybe you are coming round to the idea of multis!

(I didn't know a Dodge Charger did steering. Had always assumed it was a Hollywood trick)

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English Dave
http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club

(You'd think I'd be better at it by now)

Hurricane 5.9 SX
RS700

Posted By: ellistine
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 2:53pm

Originally posted by English Dave

Didn't I try to persuade you to buy a Dart18 before you went and bought a Vago? Maybe you are coming round to the idea of multis!

That's some memory you have! 4K has now replaced the Vago and I'm still glad I went monohull rather than multi. Having said that, it looks like three of us might be chipping in on a Dart 18 or a Hobie 16 next spring for a bit of a giggle. Edging towards the 16 at the moment just for the twin trap.

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Posted By: English Dave
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 3:16pm

Fair enough. I am making headway in the other direction as I have now got myself an oldish RS700 to have some fun midweek or when my crew isn't available for the Hurricane (another one you could consider although obviously bigger that either the H16 or D18 - but easy enough to pick up cheap in 2 sail mode). The Hobie is a nightmare to sail in chop or waves. The D18 for other reasons also has pitchpole tendencies downwind. Best of luck either way.

Other than class rules I see no reason why you couldn't put twin trap on a D18. The mast is not dissimilar to the H16 and there are no spreaders or diamonds on either boat. I'm sure that others have more informed opinions though. Maybe it's down to the lack of dolphin striker on a Dart?

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English Dave
http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club

(You'd think I'd be better at it by now)

Hurricane 5.9 SX
RS700

Posted By: ellistine
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 3:37pm

Just had a peep on Apolloduck. Those Hurricanes are cheap aren't they.

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Posted By: English Dave
Date Posted: 20 Sep 10 at 3:56pm

The disadvantages to a Hurricane are that they are heavy to haul about the park and take a bit longer than a Dart or Hobie to rig and de-rig. The SX upgrades to give spinnaker and square-top mainsail have made them competitive with the Hobie Tiger. Unfortunately Hobie are now making the Wildcat as their premium F18 which is undeniably faster. Also you will chip the bows. But you'll do that with a Dart18 anyway.

The advantage is that the mainsail stays competitive longer, they are much easier to predict and they will carry a wide range of crew weights. They are extremely tough (see remark about heavy) And they are much faster than a D18 or H16.

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English Dave
http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club

(You'd think I'd be better at it by now)

Hurricane 5.9 SX
RS700

Posted By: Scooby_simon
Date Posted: 21 Sep 10 at 2:15pm

Don't twin string a Dart 18; the masts are very bendy! (unless you are two featherweights).

Buy a Hurri and have proper fun!

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Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..

Posted By: gary145
Date Posted: 30 Sep 10 at 8:25pm

i agree Hurricane is very good value and far more fun.

You can sail high downwind and fly the hull on a dart16 for fun but its no faster than just steering a straight line (bummer) Good in a real blow though.

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