Waves and more waves

Thanks for the all info. Lots to think about. Like you Redback i was overtaking the chop but then every 4th and 5th wave were a bit bigger so when I got to those it was surfing with the subsequent loss of pressure in the rig. basically up wind I need to get more in tune and work the boat with the waves as Sten suggests and off wind I need to formulate a stragegy depending on where the waves are coming from to bear off and surf the big un's and then down wind it will be surfing with by the lee in the troughs to get me to the waves I want to surf.

I know my rig settings were fine for the conditions.In the 300 when you get to a certain point you tend to be on pretty much the same settings  when sailing off wind as to sailing upwind. Down wind it was only less kicker used. Even the board stayed up 10 inches all day!

Tom,

Talk to class coach Alastair Wood. He is a light weight and last year moved from an A to B rig. You can email him on the Yahoo group.

if the boat heels it is slow because you will end up fighting the rudder better to let the sail out or pinch

which will depend on the type of wave, if the wave is square on upwind you can flatten them out by sailing at an angle over them either pinching or footing which ever allows you to get over the difficult waves with out slamming them,

if you want to foot then you will have to play the main alot to keep it flat, the other option is to pinch over the waves which is slower but silular vmg.

if you are very light and its windy reaching of is often and rapid trimming the main the best option but you will need to be fit.