Well, make no mistake it's a challenge to say the least....
But this weekend just gone I have been experimenting with trying to make the most out of a tight reach course.
Depending on the strength of the gust it is possible to sail a tight reach with spinnaker up and chopping and changing between drawing power from the mainsail and the spinnaker, OR either the Spinnaker OR just the main with the spinnaker just curling (or if needed flogging a bit)
The trick is to let the kicker off completely, and aim in the direction of the tight reach marker / bouy, and if you can fly both then hike like crazy and fly em, if you are really over powered, then dump the mainsail so it floggs a little bit and sail with the 15sqare metre kite, BUT if the wind shifts and the kite collapses then you are going to HAVE to bear off to fill it again.
This is a fantastic feeling, because you are juggling Mainsail power, Spinnaker Power and balance of boat.
Now one might argue that its better off to just sail without the kite in those conditions, however as long as it's not really blowing you can get away with the "juggling act" which will squeeze another couple of knots out of a tight reach that really should be sailed on mainsail alone.
It's a beautiful feeling messing with the power like that, it really feels like you are in complete control of the accelerator.
You will know when it's not right because the boat will just stop, but as mentioned before sailing on the knife edge is just a brill feeling.
When you can lay the mark and you are able to bear away as usual the boat just flies away.
Great fun.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Draycote Dash Results
Had a simply wonderful weekend of handicap racing at the Draycote Dash.
results HERE
An extremely well run weekend with 62 boats on Sat and 95 on Sunday.
My best result was a bullet in Race 4 on Saturday, I managed to squeeze a first place by 4 seconds off the overall winner, Phantom sailor (Simon Childs).
I got a 3rd, 11, 21, 27th as well so overall 16th, very respectable result considering the "round the cans" courses.
It was a very friendly event and all the competitors were really polite, I think everone was enjoying it.
I will deffo go again next year.
results HERE
An extremely well run weekend with 62 boats on Sat and 95 on Sunday.
My best result was a bullet in Race 4 on Saturday, I managed to squeeze a first place by 4 seconds off the overall winner, Phantom sailor (Simon Childs).
I got a 3rd, 11, 21, 27th as well so overall 16th, very respectable result considering the "round the cans" courses.
It was a very friendly event and all the competitors were really polite, I think everone was enjoying it.
I will deffo go again next year.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
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