[C320-list] Tacking Efficiently in Racing

[Andrew Santangelo]

Yes, we do a count down too.

Though sometimes I will count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1.... under  
certain circumstances. LOL.

Also, I do call out "Ready to come about" before the tack to the crew  
and wait for "ready on port" and "ready on starboard" from each crew  
member.  I will also let them know the urgency of the tack using the  
count down and let them know it will happen quickly.

Then I will  do the count down and call "Hard a lee".  On a Gybe I say  
"Gybe Ho" - prior to this I ask for the boom to be centered.

Sometimes however things are moving so fast (with 40 big boats on the  
line), we do talk through the start and note there may be an emergency  
tack and circle Gybe in some cases.  I do ask the crew to be on top  
form on the start and to pay close attention. We do count down the  
time prior to the start.  I also ask them to pay attention to the race  
and save the site seeing for later.

I do notice some of you have snagging problems with your 155.  You may  
want to put tape and/or those tubes (I forget what they are called) on  
the shrouds to prevent this snagging.

In light air I have either the bowman move the sail over OR if short  
handed I have the person who released the sailed to then go forward to  
help move the sail over if need be.  The free individual or bowman  
also "skirts the sail" if need be.  Yes, the bowman also works the  
Spinnaker set up when in use.

Lastly, make sure your crew pays attention to any jams of the sheet to  
release it ASAP.

I do agree with practicing and getting into a rhythm with your crew.   
New crews, even if experts, need to get in sync.

Best Regards,
Andrew
C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333


On Mar 20, 2009, at 10:14 AM, Charles Greenwell wrote:

> Another good thing to do, is for the helmsman to count down the  
> tack...
> 5,4,3,2,1... "Helms Over". This helps set the timing so that you are  
> not
> going too fast or too slow.
>
>
>
> Then the helmsman calls out "Head to wind".  This signals the  
> trimmer to
> release the sheet.  This way the trimmer does not need to watch the  
> head
> sail and can concentrate on the release.  When he releases the  
> sheet, it
> is very important that he does not unwind it from the winch but pulls
> the sheet  straight up,  off of the winch, so that the sheet unwinds
> naturally and faster. Lots of novice trimmers unwind the sheet from  
> the
> winch which is slow and puts kinks in the sheet thus preventing it  
> from
> feeding through the jib cars smoothly.
>
>
>
> If you are lucky enough to have an extra body, have that person place
> himself up near the stays next to the mast.  He can help the jib  
> around
> the stays to the other side.   This keeps the 155 from getting stuck  
> on
> the stays (kind of like a self tacking mechanism only using humans
> instead).  This is especially important in lighter air and gets the  
> jib
> around faster.
>
>
>
> And finally, practice!  Before the race do a few tacks.
>
>
>
> Randy
>
> LeBijou #719