Technique: Hiking Setup & Technique

Print Page | Close Window

Hiking Setup & Technique

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7009
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 9:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Hiking Setup & Technique

Posted By: oliwb
Subject: Hiking Setup & Technique
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 1:16pm

Hi, new to the forum so be nice! ;-)
We have just gotten ourselves an RS400 and are participating in our local club racing. We have both extensively crewed at regional levels but never helmed! Anyway we are having trouble finding information on how to setup the RS400's toe straps to make for a comfortable, enjoyable and efficient hiking performance. I've been scanning around trying to find articles on good technique and how long our toe straps should be....I'm used to Laser 2000's which often hiked like a laser but luts of people seem to sort of drop hike the 400 a bit like a Merlin.....I'm finding no matter what I do I can't get it setup quite right....Any advice or pointers to good photos/articles on setup would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Oli.

-------------
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

Replies:

Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 1:36pm

Oli,

First off welcome to the forum. Its full of characters, with varied levels of experience and some interesting POV.

Can i recommend searching the rooster website, Steve Cockeril (love him or hate him) has some excellent articles on hiking and the different styles.

I seem to of naturally adopted the drop bum (poor) technique over the years and my knees now suffer slightly for it. However with my experience of sailing 400's i can see why crews seem to hike like this. I always have relatively loose toe straps, mainly because my legs are short.

Are you tall or short? I would recommend trying different lengths and anchor points, until you find one that suits. Also is you haven't already, purchase a decent pair of hikers.

Russ

-------------

Posted By: oliwb
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 1:42pm

Thanks Russ,

Will take a look at the Rooster site like you suggest. I am 5'11" (think my inside leg is 32" or so) - pretty average sized in general. I don't have any hikers yet. I bought some of the crewsaver clip-on ones which I did not like at all as the battens were so long I couldn't bend my knees properly! My crew and long suffering girlfriend has just bought a pair of new hikers but is still complaining about the setup.....will take another look at hikers but I sail in Aberdeen so were a drysuit pretty much throughout the summer - would need to get something to go over or under it.

Thanks again!

-------------
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 1:53pm

My helm wears 3/4 length hikers over his drysuit quite happily in winter.

-------------
-_
Al

Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 3:43pm

The Clip on ones are Cack pal. You should OK with proper 3/4 ones over a drysuit, but you will look like a bit of a gimp.

Here is the rooster tips section click on articles and tuning and then hiking styles

http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=hints&Store_Code=1 - http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen= hints&Store_Code=1

Hope it helps

-------------

Posted By: oliwb
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 3:47pm

Yeah I'd figured as much about the strap-ons (ooo-er)!

Had a read of the article and I did know about pointing toes but it doesn't mention too much about toe strap setup. I think mine are probably too long at the moment as my bum is nearly in the water if I hike straight like I would in a laser etc....

Spotted the rooster pro shorts though which look like they might be a happy medium for me. Might try a pair unless someone knows that they're no good.

Thanks,
Oli.

-------------
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 06 Aug 10 at 4:33pm

Hi Oli

Rooster wouldn't sell rubbish, Steve tests his range prior to launch etc.

I have the 3/4 length hikers for when I had a Laser, still use them when I jump into a hiking boat now as I find them comfortable. If you do decide to get them, give them a call as they are a weird sizing. I have size small, normally a medium to large in different wetsuits but have seen a guy wearing what would be the right size but they only look s... on him.

As for hiking, also check out youtube for videos of other sailors sailing the rs400 to get an idea of hiking styles.

-------------

Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 07 Aug 10 at 10:03pm

http://www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk/?UPN=11&category=0&searchtext=hiking - Hiking Articles

-------------
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -