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RS600 Downwind Angles

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=12337
Printed Date: 28 Mar 24 at 7:33pm
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Topic: RS600 Downwind Angles
Posted By: fartymark
Subject: RS600 Downwind Angles
Date Posted: 14 Mar 16 at 12:13pm
Hi Everyone,

I was racing my 600 for the first time on Saturday and the breeze was very light.
When running downwind I was having to sail fairly high about 150 TWA, to keep the boat speed up. As soon as I tried to bear away to similar angles the lasers/ solos were sailing, the boat felt like it stopped.

What sort of angles do others sail in these 0-5 knot conditions? I had my weight well forward and board half way up...

Unfortunately there is no other 600 to race against for comparison.

Thanks



Replies:
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 14 Mar 16 at 3:04pm
sounds about right, you need to make sure you can let your kicker off fully to try and open the head of teh main sail a little.  The rig tension (even though its light pulls the boom back into the centre) and the shroud base really stop you getting the boom very square so you need to take that into account in lighter winds and gybe downwind; but really in less that 5 knots of zephyr its worth finding something else to do!

We always found that raising the daggerboard didn't make much difference to speed - what you possibly gained in less drag you lost in the wobbles.  Think about sitting on the foredeck in lightwinds looking backwards  - good for spotting any wind - but you need a rowers neck and keep looking behind to see where you are going


-------------
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor


Posted By: fartymark
Date Posted: 15 Mar 16 at 10:02am
Thanks for your response.

I had all my rigging extremely loose but may need to play with my kicker so I can let it completely off.

Light winds are not really my thing but first outting of the year I was quite greatful for a sunny, light wind day!!

Cheers



Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 15 Mar 16 at 10:13am
Get good in the light stuff and you'll thrash any other 600s you meet in those conditions, as they go to the pub instead normally.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686


Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 15 Mar 16 at 10:16am
Originally posted by Rupert

... as they go to the pub instead normally.

for good reason... 



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