Skiff fitness

   That's exactly the problem! I can't count the number of times I've gone to sit down on the rack and landed my ass in that gap between the rack and the gunnel. Once there, there's no getting out either...I would dearly love to sail with another boat. I'm based in Dublin though, and, for better or worse, I have the only 600 in the Republic as far as I know. Hoping to get a GoPro in the near future though to share my misadventures in the Irish Sea.

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dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Skiff fitness Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 10:37pm
	That's exactly the problem! I can't count the number of times I've gone to sit down on the rack and landed my ass in that gap between the rack and the gunnel. Once there, there's no getting out either...I would dearly love to sail with another boat. I'm based in Dublin though, and, for better or worse, I have the only 600 in the Republic as far as I know. Hoping to get a GoPro in the near future though to share my misadventures in the Irish Sea.

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 10:29pm
	This was always an issue with wide wings. On narrows the wings are in a perfect place to plonk your arse down as you tack, whereas wides required a bit more effort but it's doable. You don't need to be right up by the shrouds after a tack, but at least try to get in front of the mainsheet bridle. The bigger issue is to get across quickly to keep the power on. If you get across too early that's fine, a quick pull on the mainsheet should get you back up out of the water. Better to be too quick than too slow. I'd strongly recommend sailing alongside another 600, it makes a massive difference.

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 9:06pm
	Yeh went moved 'up' to the 600 after 8 months or so in a Laser. When I go for a sail I basically practise tacking endlessly until I run out of steam. Once out of steam, I then just enjoy myself on a few scary reaches and/or drop the kicker and have a sit. All the above are really good ideas but the racks on the 600 aren't adjustable, and I'm relatively sure there aren't any granny racks analogous to those on the 700. My mast is seized shut unfortunately so I'm in a position of 'go big or go home' as it stands. My tacks are ok to be honest; I'm getting better at coming in smoothly enough. I'm still struggling once on the new tack though. That said, once the wind climbs above 15 knots or so, I do get stuck in irons now and again. At the moment, I'm sitting as far forward on the gunnel, rather than the rack, to get the boat moving on the new tack again. Once the boat is moving I'm either standing or kneeling up to get back on to the wire. I think that's definitely my weak point at the minute. Thanks for all your input.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 8:47pm
	Firstly hats off to you for coconuts. I believe you said in OP that you've gone to this straight from quite a short time in a Laser? As others have said problem must be technique rather than fitness. I guess what you are doing is trying for a nice sail around the bay and not beating yourself doing back to back drills. If that's the case you ought to be aiming for smooth with minimal effort, smooth become fast with time anyway. People who know say you should tacking from sitting on the wings but you say as you are light you have the wings fully out so this is extra difficult for you. Does the 600 have the option of granny bars? Do the experts recommend their use? I think the 600 was marketed with a reefing system of a removable mast section. Is yours seized in solid? Could you sail it reefed with the wings in narrow position while you work out a technique and then put in the hours to get it solid?

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 8:22pm
	I guess I must still be trying to fight her in some way I haven't cottoned on to yet...not a fight I'm going to win. Back to Yoda YouTube I think...

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 6:25pm
	I was just thinking the same, you must be above average fitness/very fit to do the training you do, the boat should not be taking such a toll on you. I don't think many of the 600 fleet do/did any training, most were just casual weekend sailors, some overweight, some over 40. A fit young lad like you should be finding it a walk in the park!
	RS600 1001

kneewrecker Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 09 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1586	Post Options Post Reply Quote kneewrecker Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 3:28pm
	If a boat is making you feel physically nauseous, I'd recommend a) selling it and b) getting checked out by the doctor .... a 600 is demanding, but it's only a dinghy.

bristolmustoskiff Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 20 Nov 12 Location: bristol Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote bristolmustoskiff Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jul 14 at 3:15pm
	ummm well in a for about a arm full really then i uesd to come in drop the main then pick it back up on the way through again to be honest you wont ever get the tacking right really until you learn the sitting down technique i and people still use it in the musto jamie is small but never stood up in a tack the biat is to tippy really and to much much can go wrong which might be one reason for the physically tired feeling
	live hard race harder

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 14 at 10:11pm
	The main should only be eased about 12" during the tacks unless you get nailed coming out of the tack. If you ease too much the boat will allow down making tacking really hard.

dohertpk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Sep 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote dohertpk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jul 14 at 8:00pm
	Yeh I've been aiming for volume rather than resistance with my weight training. Currently doing a pretty brutal programme of German Volume Training (10 sets of 10 reps), with a focus on compound lifts rather than isolation movements on top of my cardio. You're absolutely right about holding a half in, half out stance - it's absolute agony! Jay; in terms of the standing/sitting thing - I actually find it a bit easier to stand through the tack than sit on the racks. I have wide racks and I find I get 'stuck' sitting down if that makes sense. I'm a good deal shorter than you though at 5' 9". That said, I'm still trying to find out a tacking style that I can work in any wind and I haven't had her out in anything more than 15 knots for months. How far do you let the main out when you come through a tack in F4+? I've been letting her out to the shrouds to try and keep her flat/slightly heeled to windward. I can't really explain the exhaustion thing. The feeling reminds me of interval training actually. When I'm come off the wire and go through a tack, it's like I've just done a sprint and am in a recovery run. Same feeling of near nausea. I'd like to be able to sail her through the winter so trying to get everything dialled in before the bigger breezes return.