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Going dead downwind |
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MattHarris
Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 94 |
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Topic: Going dead downwind Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 11:58am |
Having just purchased a Supernova a few weeks ago, i've been out racing the last two weekends. I can get upwind without to much issue (although need lots more practice roll tacking as it doesn't roll quite like anything i've sailed before). On a reach keeping the boat flat etc and stopping other boats pinching wind keeps me going ok, the issue is when it comes to anything downwind.
I read an article about sailing by the lee and heeling the boat to windward and how its more efficient etc which is fine when there is enough wind to keep the boom on the right side of the boat. However below this wind strength i just stop dead. This happened to the extent that i kept pulling away from a laser upwind to be overtaken downwind for 4 laps. I found that if i come up slightly higher and gybe periodically it helps but this doesn't help for those bits where there is no real choice but to go dead down wind or other boats limit the space to sail in. I'm around 92 kg (which i know is really not helping my case - i am working on this) but there must be something else i can do without resorting to the laser oooching and pumping. Are there any other singlehander sailors out there who have mastered this skill or have any pointers? Equally any way of getting the boat sailing faster downwind in general are always good.
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pondmonkey
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 12:18pm |
I'll watch with interest, I'm having similar issues in the Solo (as expected, as I've always been hopeless downwind).
I'm not sure how useful running by the lee is in a stayed boat like the Solo, the wind just seems on the wrong side of the sail or the battens are horribly flexed around the shrouds. I'm sailing angles now, with zero plate down unless I'm actually gybing- this seems to help as whilst appearing to be sailing 'high' the boat tracks on the DDW course with a bit of leeward slip or a pump n' bear off with each gust. I've no idea if this is a good or bad technique- not enough time in the boat yet.
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Fraggle
Far too distracted from work Joined: 28 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 220 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 12:18pm |
You might be better asking on the Supernova class association forum http://www.supernovadinghy.org/forum/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=aaa6b26b7802303eadddad2e362a1572 and look out for their training days. Think they usually have a days training before the Xmas Pud event (definitely have when it was at Haversham). The guys on there are a very friendly bunch and are usually more than willing to share tips.
The nova just can't do the same downwind angles as a laser. Its the point of sail I struggle on most when I borrow a supernova as I'm used to laser style running. You have to play the angles much more and gybe more often.
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 12:49pm |
i suspect because you can;t square your boom like a laser to sail by a lee your going to have to let a lot of kicker off....i mean lots. Otherwise sail the angles and work your way down wind.
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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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MattHarris
Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 94 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 1:03pm |
Hi Fraggle, i've searched through the class forum but can't really find anything beyond the standard reponse of sitting forward - although did find that a bungee a'la solo is class legal so may give this a go. I was just after a bit of an outside opinion, especailly with the solo being popular and having a similar (fully battened stayed rig) rig layout.
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SoggyBadger
Really should get out more Joined: 26 Oct 10 Location: The Wild Wood Online Status: Offline Posts: 552 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 1:14pm |
Gybe on the shifts and you won't have a problem. |
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Best wishes from deep in the woods
SB |
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 1:58pm |
About the only thing you can do in a stayed boat is let the kicker right off (allowing the boom to rise) and let the forestay tension off (if you have an adjustable forestay). this allows the sail to twist off and get right out.
This technique works well in a Blaze if the run is short. However if the run is of a decent length you are much better of playing the angles, especially if you can get the boat planing. It also works well in a Phantom so you may find you get some success with the Supernova. As the rig is fully battened you are unlikely to make running by the lee work vs playing the angles offwind.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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Kev M
Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 4:38pm |
Did you have an adjustable forestay on your Blaze?
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Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 4:54pm |
surely on a blaze you have "swinging spreaders" so that you can get the boom out further and run deeper
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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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Jon Emmett
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 985 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Nov 12 at 8:06pm |
Sailing by the lee only seems to be truly effected in unstayed boats.
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