RS aero

Originally posted by kneewrecker hmm do you want to kite a Solo downwind, I never found it the fastest,

it's an old school expression - you internet self taught sailors might refer to it as 'Veal Heel' from early foiling moth videos that got you into this 'cool sport', although the rationale for windward heel is completely different.  

Edited by kneewrecker - 27 Jul 15 at 1:58pm

Oh right, well you bring the rig to windward to bring the centre of effort more in the middle. Never heard it called 'kiting' before. We did it a lot in N12s when I was learning to sail.

Originally posted by Oinks I see that, but that's not pumping.

It means the less rule observant can fan the sail in the very light by just pulling on the sheet because the elastic will pull it back. To my way of thinking making the boat more awkward (and thus unpleasant?) to sail in the light isn't the best way of promoting rule observance, but each class will have its own culture on these things.

On the windward heel, my understanding was that, given a boat which is faster in light air with a bit of heel to reduce wetted area, then if you heel it to leeward on a run the centre of effort will be well offset from the hull, requiring a rudder offset to keep on a straight course and more drag, but if you heel it to windward the CofE will tend to be over the hull and you'll need less rudder input and less drag.

Edited by JimC - 27 Jul 15 at 2:21pm

I'm more impressed by the twister in the photo.