New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: one duff tack
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

one duff tack

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123
Author
kneewrecker View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 09 Apr 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1586
Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: one duff tack
    Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 10:16am
'one duff tack' is catch-all for a crappy upwind performance.

Sure, it quite literally means a screwed up tack, perhaps dropping the tiller, or scooping a bath-full when over egging a roll.  It could mean banging your head on the boom, or getting our mainsheet knotted around your feet.  We've all done it- and feel foolish and stupid and that we should know better.

I also use it to describe those times when you over-shoot or undershoot a lay line, or when you tack and get headed, but you've got to see it through to regain ground to the centre of the course.  

Sail boat racing is like a Driving Test - the person who makes the least mistakes wins.  I see a 'duff tack' as a minor fault on said test.  Too many, especially in the same boxes - in this case - upwind - equals a major fault.
Back to Top
rich96 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 20 Jan 05
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
Post Options Post Options   Quote rich96 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 10:10am
Soundfs like an ideal candidate for some practise.

Its amazing how much easier racing becomes when you no longer have to think too hard about tacking.

A Saturday spent practising may be worth many times a couple of Sunday races ?

Sailing is a bit unique in that regard - many people simply don't sail unless there's a race being held ?

How can you reasonably expect to improve without training ?

Do any other sports work in this way ?

Back to Top
L123456 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 30 Apr 12
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 500
Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 10:09am
Originally posted by Rupert

In most of our long running PY threads, not to mention threads on boat finish and a plethora of other things, the phrase "no more effect than one duff tack" comes up with regularity.

So, if we all do a duff tack every now and again, what are the various techniques people have for a good tack?



Good question ... I wonder what the variance is is say a reasonably large one-design fleet on finishing times?

I suspect we don't know because no-one ever times fleet races just notes positions.

I could think there could be at least 15 minutes between first & last in a race of 90 minutes.

What does that equate to in PY range on say a boy of 1000 PY?
Back to Top
iiitick View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 04 Jun 14
Location: gb
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 478
Post Options Post Options   Quote iiitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 10:03am
All my tacks are 'duff'!  However I am trying a different method realising the error of my ways. Instead of prostrating myself in the bilges while the boom whizzes over my head I am trying to duck under the boom as it attacks me then scramble through with my nether regions. It seem better in light wind.
Back to Top
jeffers View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 29 Mar 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3048
Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 9:42am
Hunts is a small lake where the wind shifts around a lot.

Because of this and because of the short legs there is a far higher emphasis on boat handling and picking the right way up the beat than there is on a more open water.

A bad tack can quite easily lose you several positions/seconds. This can make a big difference once the spreadsheet comes in to play as positions are often decided by a few seconds each way.
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74
Back to Top
winging it View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 22 Mar 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3958
Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 8:58am
What he said.
the same, but different...

Back to Top
rich96 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 20 Jan 05
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
Post Options Post Options   Quote rich96 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 8:57am
Practise practise practise

Don't just go out when its racing - go out when there's no pressure on and do 50 tacks, 50 gybes etc.

Tacking/gybing in racing then becomes second nature.

I can never understand why people continually moan about not improving but havent got to grips with good boat handling first ?

Back to Top
Neptune View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jun 09
Location: Berkshire United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1314
Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 8:50am
In a Musto; 600 etc repeatability and patience which means keeping teh boat flat as long as possible and not over steering.  oh and acceptance that sometimes you get it wrong and have to dump kicker and put the "this vehicle is reversing sirens on"
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956
Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 14 at 8:38am
In most of our long running PY threads, not to mention threads on boat finish and a plethora of other things, the phrase "no more effect than one duff tack" comes up with regularity.

So, if we all do a duff tack every now and again, what are the various techniques people have for a good tack?




Edited by Rupert - 03 Oct 14 at 8:39am
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy