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Playing the main |
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Telltale
Posting king Joined: 03 May 12 Location: Cardiff Online Status: Offline Posts: 169 |
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Topic: Playing the main Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 7:38pm |
I am not much good in normal wind but do quite well when it blows. We all know that the rudder is a brake for "normal stuff" but my theory is when it's howling wiggling it doesn't have much effect because you are often overpowered. I find big quick sharp stabbing movement of the rudder let you react faster to the gust, so you steer in combination with easing and sheeting in. By doing both you don't need to do either one excessively. Heeling to windward as the gust hits is good but needs practice.
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Reuben T
Newbie Joined: 14 Dec 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 8:07pm |
I used to wrap it around my hand until it broke a finger when I let the main out going around a top mark but it didn't unwrap from all my fingers. So if you have to just make sure it doesn't tangle a single finger
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robin34024
Posting king Joined: 03 Jan 12 Location: Lincoln Online Status: Offline Posts: 116 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 9:05pm |
on a topper, i used to wrap the kicker around my hand to let it off around the windward mark... until i got a fingernail torn off in the cam cleat. nasty...
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andymck
Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 9:43pm |
I think the answer is in a lot of these posts.
Main has to be playable, this means lots of kicker, more than you realise, use your legs to get the last bit on, and a lot of cunno. The main needs to be able to be played asap, with a small luff as you see the gust coming. The only boat I ever used the cleat on was the Laser5000. All others, including 4k and 400 no. Rake before you go out, as this will open the jib slot, which is often the key in windy weather. Otherwise you need to ease the jib so there is no back winding even when the boom is over the quarter. The issue is not to stall the flow in the slot in the gusts, and avoid the uncontrollably flogging main. This then just pulls you over, dumping does not work and sheeting in puts you in. If you do get that, the crew needs to let jib out to restore normal flow. They should be ready to ease in the gusts as well. Eventually you will find the happy setting, and because you have undisturbed flow, even in gusts you will start to really motor. Few people talk about the slot between the jib and the main when depowering, but its the key in most boats. A good, educated crew is worth their weight, and more. Andy
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Andy Mck
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NickA
Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 783 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 13 at 7:52pm |
Presuming the RS500 is not dis-similar to a V3000 (tho heavier and with more sail) -
1) sail with rake in windy conditions, what you lose in shove you gain in height 2) luff up as you sheet out in each gust, remember the gust will cause the wind to come more over the beam so the sheeting out isn't only to depower it's to set the main correctly to the new direction of wind. If you have a really good crew, they can ease the jib a little too. As the gust passes, sheet back in, check your boat's angle to the wind and steer back into close hauled, gusts often prelude shifts, so close hauled may not be where it was! => sheet hand out => tiller hand out => sheet hand in => tiller hand in. It gains you height on every gust, keeps the sails properly trimmed and keeps the boat flat too! Don't over do it - over luffing will have your crew in the water. Lots of small gentle movements. I was once in a race with Kit Stenhouse, who overtook me repeatedly, providing ample opportunity to watch how she swerved her MPS in gentle S-bends all the way across the reach and up the beat. Poetry in motion. Oh and giving the crew the main is a big help, but only if the crew is really good and you're both really well co-ordinated!
Edited by NickA - 07 Feb 13 at 7:55pm |
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Javelin 558
Contender 2574 |
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GYbin'Jones
Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 13 Location: Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 13 at 2:36pm |
And what's the point of the rule? Perhaps to prevent crew technique/teamwork upsetting an otherwise level playing field .
Do any classes have rules which prevent the helm from trimming jib or spinnaker sheets?
For that matter, do any classes restrict the crew from taking the helm?
Nick. Edited by GYbin'Jones - 13 Feb 13 at 2:48pm |
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 13 at 3:08pm |
Been watching the 18 foot skiffs on the net recently and been amazed by just how little the mainsheet is played, even with a man dedicated to the job. In a blow they seem to keep the boom planted outboard a bit and just steer through the gusts and the lulls.
Is this typical skiff methodology? I must admit, on the 800 playing the main whilst steering and trapezing can git a bit of handful when it's gusty. Would be great to get the rig sorted in such a way I could just lay back, relax and wiggle the tiller every now an then ;-)
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gbr940
Posting king Joined: 04 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 198 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 13 at 4:20pm |
on the B14 we:
1) add more rake
2) use more kicker
3) use more cunningham
4) less board (about 4-5" up)
5) track down 5-8 degrees to plane upwind and play both main and jib
6) get the crew to call the bigger gusts and bring the boat higher and that should assist depowering, once through the gust go bow down and get planing again
of course it's different to everyone but the boom mounted main makes life ALOT easier to pull in
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RS400 GBR1321
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PhilHigh
Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 13 at 4:51pm |
It is not permitted in the 500 for the crew to take the main except in exceptional cirumstances(like when the helm falls out!) . One thing I find really handy is to make sure the gusts and lulls are called out before they get to the boat, also calling if it looks like a lift or header. Allows you a little time to make sure you are prepared for when it hits.
If you head to any of the 500 events people are always happy to help people out and answer questions.
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ellistine
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 762 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 13 at 4:55pm |
I should probably know this by now but how do you know if it's lift or a header?
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