Gybing mainsheet cleated

Whoops.....unfortuneaty I tipped her in on a gusty gybe with the kite up today....that pesky cleating the mainsheet trick.

I think that it's worth letting it off a bit as the wind gets up, so as not to get punished, however cleating it is the way forward for sure....just be careful that's all.

Mainsheet Cleating angle wedge

Well, I finally managed to get some longer bolts so I could attach the really thick mainsheet wedge.

This is now final....my conclusion is that the thicker wedge is defineatly the best.

Sheeting in the mainsheet and having it cleat automatically is now really easy.

So I recommend a thick wedge from Harken, the thickest one they do....can't remember the part number.

Sunday sailing - Perfect D-One Weather

Had a fantastic day today, sunshine and a gusty wind.

Managed to keep up with the leading 400's, keeping the 700's behind too.

Boat going very well indeed.....very very pleased.

I did try and get photo's but no luck, guess the rescue boats were busy.

Kicker and Mast inversion downwind

Well I have had a long think  about today and talked quite a lot.

Sorry no pictures, but there was the Schools Nationals on at our club, so no spare camera man/woman.

Nevermind

So I got to thinking today when I felt that I was not going too fast downwind when the wind had dropped off a bit.

It was very up and down in gusts today.

So I thought... what would happen if I applied some kicker downwind (contrary to how I have been achieving nice sail setting with spinny and the slot)

So I applied the kicker and hey presto I felt powered up....so here's the rub....no kicker or SOME kicker?

I reckon (no doubt in fact) in the windy stuff....NO kicker downwind....in the lighter stuff....maybe a little kicker tension just to keep a bit of power until you feel "in trouble"

Again....technique in progress, watch this space.

:o)

Mainsheet Cleating Angle

Think I have mentioned before about placing an angle wedge on the mainsheet cleat fitting so that it is easier getting the leach tension correct with one pull upwind after a tack or after dumping the main in a gust.

Well I think I might just leave it as it is.

Today I was concentrating on sitting further back to aid planing upwind and the sheeting angle was nearly just right.

I think this is technique in progress....I shall keep you all informed.

I might just add that as I am sailing on the inner setting for the wings it has made a difference to the sheeting angle.

If you are lighter you may find that the angle is better for cleating the main without a wedge.

Spinnaker Halyard

Ok, I am still not sure about the thickness of the spinny halyard.

I am sure it is 3 mm.

I think it maybe too thin.

There is simply no friction while hoisting, but I think I could get away it being a bit thicker just for the grip.

It slips through my hand if I don't keep my eye on it.

Undecided on this.

Colour coordination

A couple of times today when I went to adjust my mainsheet track I grabbed the adjustable toestraps rope instead (both same colour Black)

One of them simply has to go!