[C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing

[Chris Burti]

As Andrew suggested, the helmsman has a lot to do with the efficiency of the
tack. The tack needs to be a smooth, moderate tempo, swing through the eye
of the wind as he describes, slow but not too slow. It needs to be carried a
bit deeper than the optimum point of sail for a couple of moments to power
up the sails and let the boat accelerate faster before pointing up and final
trim in.

On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 9:11 AM, <sailorlew at aol.com> wrote:

> I find that the best way to tack is to have 3 people working. 1 prepared to
> take in the lazy sheet, 1 prepared to release the working sheet, & 1 at the
> mast to manually bring the jib across. The person who releases the working
> sheet then crosses the cockpit to crank the handle at the correct time, the
> person at the mast pulls the jib across to prevent it from hanging up, the
> person on the lazy sheet tails as much by hand as he can when the jib is
> across, & the person on the handle starts cranking as soon as the sheet
> being tailed is tight.
> Lew
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Santangelo <andrew_santangelo at mac.com>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Cc: C320 Assn List <c320-list at catalina320.org>
> Sent: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:41 am
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing
>
>
> 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?
> ?
>
>


-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC