[C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing

[Andrew Santangelo]

Rollie,

Every little bit does help (as does a folding prop - it really does  
make a difference).  But slow tacks are truly a killer as is improper  
mainsheet and headsail trim.  But here are some pointers on the  
sailing trim and team work.

* Tacking - the key is tacking fast AND efficiently.  The instant the  
sail breaks to the other side release and bring it over as FAST as you  
can.  If you don't, as you probably discovered, it takes forever to  
winch in a loaded sail unless you have some boat bubbas.

* Tacking, part II - do not get too fast bringing the boat around  
otherwise your crew cannot keep up with you.  Now do not get too slow  
or you will get in irons.

When we did the above technique our tacks went from 2 minutes  
(Sheesh!) to now 20 seconds worst.  Early on I was so frustrated with  
the crew I demonstrated tacking the boat myself with the autopilot -  
did it in 18 seconds.

* Mainsail trim - this is really important on this boat especially in  
gusty and windy conditions.  You need a crew member who is good at  
reading the wind and waves and adjusting the sail without a comment  
from the helms person.  This is critical.  One or two weather helm  
incidents and that is the race.

One other pointer to consider - exercise.  My crew on occasion would  
have some members in their upper 50s and it was a challenge - tacking,  
sail trim, everything.  However one lady on my crew (58) over the  
winter lifted weights and exercised.  The change was profound.  She  
was almost a boat bubba!  She was definitely stronger than the old men  
on the boat. Yes you can exercise as you get older and still work a  
boat.

Some other tips to consider (low cost):
* Go with non-stretch racing sheets and halyards.  Less stretch, the  
quicker you stabilize at one speed that is slightly higher.
* Constantly trim and look at the wind, waves and boat.  This makes a  
huge difference.  My first year of racing I went from beyond dead last  
(if there is a position) and lower third of fleet doing this - with  
original sails and three blade fixed prop.  I found the cruiser  
mentality of setting sails and relaxing did not work.
* Learn the feel of your boat - time and experience.  That is why I  
nervous moving up to a bigger boat now - I know my boat inside and  
out.  I know what makes her tick.  This is also very good for cruising.

Little more costly options:
* I went to the Autoprop folding prop and it did wonders for both  
racing and cruising.  I reach hull speed with lower RPMS (saving  
fuel), no prop walk, lots of power in bad weather - and faster under  
sail.  This moved me up to the upper division of the fleet with the  
other minor adds from above.

Very costly if you want the flag badly:
* Fin keel
* Racing sails
* Hydraulic Backstay
* Spinnaker Gear (uh - hold off on this with an old crew.  Heck a  
young crew almost sunk my boat , so to speak, with a spinnaker the  
first time).  For the buoy races we do not use the Spinnaker too much  
loss of time with an untrained beginner crew.  We do use the Spinnaker  
for big long distance races - and do win or place.

I hope this helps.  Keys - think efficiently on a tack, let the wind  
help you bring the sail over, and bring the sheet in quickly while it  
is unloaded.

BTW - tacks on my J22 are under 5 seconds - but that is a little sail!

Best Regards,
Andrew
C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333


On Mar 19, 2009, at 5:44 PM, argates2nd at comcast.net wrote:

>
>
> We club race an Olympic course with a crew of 4 or 5.  Our new  
> dacron 155 Genny is a handful for guys aged 65-72 to handle in wind  
> above 10-12mph.
>
>
>
> Last Monday, an Alerion 28 with high tech sails, which gives us  
> about 2 minutes per hour, beat us and won by 63 seconds corrected.   
> If we had tacked more efficiently, it would have made the difference.
>
>
>
> One of our crew handles the traveler at the start of the tack, one  
> lets off the genny sheet, and one does the work pulling and then  
> winching the new working sheet.
>
>
>
> What tips do you have for better teamwork while tacking -- (besides  
> a folding prop to replace our 2 bladed fixed prop)?
>
>
>
> Rollie     #182 (wing keel)    Charlotte Harbor, FL