Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Going dead downwind |
Post Reply | Page <1 3456> |
Author | |
pondmonkey
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202 |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: Going dead downwind Posted: 03 Dec 12 at 12:49pm |
cheers Nick- so you kite it over, a bit like an Oppy to reduce the WSA?
|
|
NickM
Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 328 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 12 at 11:41pm |
Well, that's the idea. I find that the wake starts making more noise which makes me think I am going faster but that might just be the flat bow digging in... Give it a try anyway!
|
|
pondmonkey
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 7:27am |
Will do- cheers!
|
|
Ruscoe
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 7:52am |
Interesting Nick. I tried the Windward heal thing a few times and was never sure if it worked or not. The final nail in the coffin (sorry i know we are talking about Solo's) was after a chat with Jim Hunt. Like Jimbo i am a bigger chap and struggled for downwind pace against the lighter guys (obviously) so i was after some tips to try and keep me in touch at least until i reached the mark and could overtake them all upwind again!! Jim told me specifically not to heal the boat to windward downwind. He said it was a common misconception that it was fast and certainly wasn't in a Solo, something to the hull shape not lending itself to it and actually not reducing as much wetted area as you may initially think.
|
|
|
|
Ian29937
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 8:43am |
Interesting, I'm not that familiar with the SOLO but can understand the shape noit lending itself to reducing wetted area. However, what about the other advantage of bringing the CofE of the sail into line with the CofR of the hull to reduce rudder drag. Surely that still applies? Ian
|
|
Ruscoe
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 10:07am |
I'm not sure about that. Just repeating what I was told by Jim. Not many people have made a Solo go faster then him!!
|
|
|
|
ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 10:47am |
I've found that windward heel on my Solo isn't necessarily faster than dead upright, (wetted area), but in windy/gusty conditions, it's much easier to control the dinghy (Centre of effort over the centre of the boat). Also the rudder blade acts with a vertical component which seems to reduce the death roll.
That means that I don't normally broach uncontrollably, not have to use excessive helm to steer. That's a lot faster than the alternatives... Certainly I find I can gybe more easily and without the big drama of heading up just after the gybe. I'd suggest the simple approach:- If there's enough wind to keep the boom out when heeling to windward, then heel to windward... Cheers, Colin
|
|
Roger
Really should get out more Joined: 23 Mar 04 Location: Somerset Online Status: Offline Posts: 524 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 12:09pm |
Lots of conflicting advice about as usual, but just to cloud it all a bit more...
I never sit any further forward than one cheek either side of the traveller, I believe this is the current wisdom, the Solo buries it's bow very easily and this is slow. Watch the wake off the transom move forward till this is as flat as possible but don't go further. Occasional windward heel, but I have reduced this over the last couple of seasons as I don't believe it's doing much good, lee helm is very easily induced by this windward heeling, feel the tiller, and again this isn't good, I now tend to manage heel downwind by the feel in the tiller, with neutral helm almost dead flat. But I wouldn't argue with anything Jim Hunt says.. |
|
Ruscoe
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 1:22pm |
Roger, exactly my point about for and aft trim. This is going to be an issue for Jimbo given his extra lard. I would in the lighter stuff put my front leg over the traveller and sit on the thwart. Any further forward you would dig the bow (you can hear the bow digging) andy further back and you could see the turbulance through the transom flaps.
Colin, interesting that you are broaching dead downwind mate. I have never had this in a Solo, even in stupid winds. I have had a few 'Tank Slappers' but i always have a hand on the board control line to help get me out of jail. Jimbo, given Hunty a call mate if you want some cleaer understanding of what i was saying.
|
|
|
|
pondmonkey
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 2:16pm |
I'm honestly tempted to run a Solo training session at the club in the spring- we can probably get the ribs for a tenner each through onboard, and I'll pay for either Andy or Jim's time- a far better investment in my sailing than carbon battens, a tactick compass or some go faster zhik underpants. But yes, I always knew downwind would be my major weakness in the Solo, but there's a challenge in it and all this info, whilst conflicting, at least gives me some set styles to compare and contrast to see what works best for me.
|
|
Post Reply | Page <1 3456> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |