Double handed racing
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Keelboat classes
Forum Name: Keelboat news and development
Forum Discription: All the latest developments for yachts
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3457
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 2:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Double handed racing
Posted By: Racecruiser
Subject: Double handed racing
Date Posted: 02 Oct 07 at 8:51pm
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My first post since registering - the excitement is building!! I've entered the R S'ton YC Solent Double on 13/10 with my moderately racy 30 footer, coventional kite, fractional rig, no runners, no self steering (but I have bought a tiller lock thingy). Any top tips from anyone out there?
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Replies:
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 03 Oct 07 at 7:40am
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I've done these events quite a bit on a 707 - probably a similar sized kite to yours. Think dinghy techniques for hoist/gybe/drop - helm handles sheet and guy, steers with tiller between the legs. Gybing the main is probably best left to the crew after they have done the pole. 20 knots was about my personal limit for being able to handle the helm that way through the gybe, bearing in mind that if is all goes badly wrong, you are probably going to have an epic sorting it out again. You need to think ahead several times longer than with a full crew but you can actually sail the boat surprisingly efficiently. I never used a tiller lock but that might come in handy hoisting the main, which was actually the hardest maneouvre of the day. Have fun. |
Posted By: ASok
Date Posted: 03 Oct 07 at 1:05pm
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You've done the right thing - racing yachts short handed is the best way to do it. Its far more enjoyable in my opinion. Up wind is obviously the easy one. Downwind you just need to know your limitations. Give yourselves plenty of time and go deep on the gybes and drops to give your 2nd man plenty of time to complete the move with as little load in the sheets / kite as possible. The tiller lock should help things. I've used similar when sailing a J24 two handed. Well actually it was a bit of string tied to the aft cleats! If you do start taking things seriously there are some fantastic autohelms on the market that are really reliable. Especially ones that have an auto gybe button - if you trust it, the helm can go and asisst with sheeting in or gathering a kite. I've used these on a tiller driven J105. Good luck.
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Posted By: Racecruiser
Date Posted: 04 Oct 07 at 6:41pm
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Thanks Stefan and Asok - useful stuff. I'll post something after the race with a few observations and it certainly gets over the crew organisation issue when you only have one other to sort out! Hope it's not blowing force 7 next w/e. Stefan thanks for the email too and look forward to catching up and sailing with you again soon. Cheers!
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