Weather Helm/Tacking

Good to hear you've craked it and the point about keeping the rudders over whilst swapping sides is key but I bet you are also letting the main out more too - I've found that very important in a Hobbie 16.

So I would say

make sure you've got good speed and are close hauled

push the helm away with steady pressure but not so strongly as to act as a break

keep the pressure on the rudders as you cross

let the main off a lot but keep the jib cleated

wait untill the boat is well beyond "head-to-wind" and release the jib

get the jib sheeted on the new tack but keep bearing away untill speed begins to build then sheet in the main

head up to the close hauled course

There's no hurry these boats take their time.

Hello Everyone,

Went sailing today and tacked wothout any problems. The first time we did it I was just plain surprised.

Printed off Worthys instructions and worked a treat. Wind was about F4.

I think the "trick" is firstly not to rush over to the other side and as Shadowman mentioned, be sure you don't accidentally centre the rudders when moving across or throwing the tiller to the other side.

Thanks for all your help, thats tacking sorted, just the rest to go now!!!!!!!!!!

One thing that we all had a tendency to do when learning to sail cats is to let the rudders centre as you change hands on the tiller and even as you cross the boat. Very easy to do but it is essential you keep the rudders over until you are well through the wind.

You are right that your boat may sail off without you if well balanced! Remeber to hold onto the sheet if you fall off!

Edited by Shadowman

I used to sail a Hobie 16 which are renouned as being one of the hardest boats to tack mainly due to no boards or skegs, so I will go through a tack in a Hobie 16 and you should be fine doing that in a Pacific.

One thing to note is that the windier it gets the harder it is to tack, and the more important it is that you are up to speed.

OK to start, as we have already said, start from full speed on a close hauled course.  This is essential, no wimping out.  If there is enough wind you need to be twin wiring etc.  From this position you de-power the boat by pushing the tiller away.  As you push away the hull will come down and the helm and crew need to quickly move off the wire onto the tramp.  As said above the rudder movement needs to be quite firm but not too quick so as you can't get off the wire.

The main and jib should still be in at this point.

When the helm gets to the middle the crew should be on the new side already and the boat should be head to wind and the rudders still steering the boat through the tack.  The main sheet should be eased a meter or so at this point and the jib remain cleeted.

When the boat comes round to the correct angle on the new side you then release the jib, after which you straighten up the rudders and pull the main in slowly (it should take 3 or 4 seconds to get the main back in to fully tight).

If it is not windy enough to wire the same ideas still hold, you can just be slightly more forceful with the rudders as there is no risk in you falling off the side!

As I said, that is what I did to tack the Hobie 16 and it has worked on every boat I have sailed since.

Hope this helps

I would agree with Worthy.  You need to be close hauled, maximum speed and loos for a flat patch is sailing in waves.  Be positive with the rudders and don't straighten up too quickly. 

Backing the jib slightly will asisst turning through the tack, especially in light airs when you need that extra push.

I've found on the Dart that you can't cross the boat too quickly.  This was difficult when I first had the boat, as I used to get in a right muddle crossing the tiller around the back, but you soon realise that it helps to stay on the windward side  for as long as possible.

As for windward helm, I would rather avoid it.  Keeping two rudders straight at all times will help reduce drag.  Plus in heavy weather one can be bad enough to tug at let alone two.

With respect to mast rake, can you adjust the forestay length?