[C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing

Fri Mar 20 07:56:21 PDT 2009

I have a young strong crew, and we do most of the good things that Andrew
suggests.  Even so we don't use our 155 racing mylar genny in much above 12
knots, especially if it's gusty, as we find the boat is beginning to get
overpowered and heeling/making leeway.We go upwind just as well with the
(good, racing) number 2 in anything over 13 kts true.

You can tell if you have too much weather helm (because of the heeling) by
putting a tape wrapping around the wheel rim at the 5 degrees rudder angle
position on each tack.  Anything over 5 and you are slowing down because of
the weather helm.  Best to do this with the boat out of the water but as a
rough guide the tapes should be about 14 inches either side of the
straight-ahead position on the 320.

Dave Moores #342

Original Message:
-----------------
From:  sailorlew at aol.com
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:11:38 -0400
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing

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?
?

--------------------------------------------------------------------
mail2web - Check your email from the web at
http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web