| J-World Racing Notes |
|
|
|
| Written by Administrator and Pete Machler | ||
| Jul 26, 2010 at 12:47 PM | ||
 Racing notes from J-World Coach Aaron Galvin While we were at Annapolis during the 2010 Rendezvous, a few of us took a racing class with Aaron Galvin of J-World Performance Sailing School Aaron is a US Sailing BK Instructor, Cruising Instructor, Coastal Navigation Instructor, Small boat Level 1, and a USCG OUPV captain. We enjoyed our time with Aaron and picked up some excellent tips. There's nothing like learning while doing. Pete Machler took notes during the course; here they are, and hopefully they'll help improve your racing and sailing in general. 1. Before the Race Heading toward the windward mark – take course headings on both tacks before the start of the race to determine wind changes along the leg. Aaron suggested a period of time of 15 minutes or more during which the boat would sail on both tacks. Course info would be recorded and analyzed to anticipate the wind shifts along the leg. Sail toward the “new favorable wind”. 2. Roles of the Crew Clearly explain who does what. Delegate one person to announce compass readings. Mount the Compass on the Mast for better visibility. 3. Position of Helmsman and Main Trimmer Sit forward and use a long tiller extender, maybe 42” – 48”. Have a trimmer stationed aft of the helmsman to trim the main sheet. 4. Gen Cars Gen cars should be set up to because all tell tails to stream quietly aft ward when close hauled. In high wind, move the gen cars further aft to spill air from the top of the gen. 5. Fore and Backstay Tension: If the backstay can be adjusted while sailing, adjust the forestay to be loose when off the Wind. When pointing in moderate to heavy wind, tighten the backstay to tension the forestay for better pointing. In light air do not over-tension the forestay and backstay, as it de-powers (flattens) the sails. Only flatten sail when sufficient wind speed will drive the boat at near hull speed. 6. Halyard tension follows wind velocity: Light wind = light halyard tension. For light to moderate winds allow a few horizontal wrinkles to remain along the luffs of the main and gen. When off the wind, ease the halyards to create fuller sails. 7. Boom Vang Vang sheeting can be used in lieu of a traveler. Tighten the luff by trimming in the vang and then use the main sheet as the traveler. For fuller sail and twist in the upper main, ease the vang to open the leech. 8. Outhaul Controls depth of the lower third of the mainsail. As with the halyard, adjust with wind velocity – low wind ease the outhaul. Increase outhaul tension as the wind increases when reaching. Off the wind ease the outhaul to increase mainsail draft. 9. Centerboard Bill Porter told me to raise the centerboard for all points of sail except close hauled to reduce drag. Partially raising the centerboard alters the boat’s center of resistance and will decrease weathered helm when partially raised. This is useful when excessive weathered helm occurs in a fresh breeze. 10. Heeling the boat to Steer Heeling to leeward will cause the boat to head up (to windward) in lieu of using excessive helm (rudder) during tacks, to reduce drag. 11. Tacking Tack only for a reason, such as being headed or for tactical reasons. Do not mistake a change in apparent wind as a header, due to a lull in wind as a header and visa versa, a lift cause by increased wind but not an actual change in true wind direction. When tacking shift weight to help turn the boat into the wind using minimal helm. Start slowly until the sails are no longer driving, and then increase the speed of the tack through the head to wind. As the gen blows through release old gen sheet and trim the new gen sheet. Slow the rate of tack allowing the trimmer to catch the wind and power up. Ease the main sheet when the main is no longer driving before head to wind during the tack. When approaching the new tack from the eye of the wind, continue to bear off 5 degrees or so to power up the sails for acceleration, then coordinate the trimming of the main and gen as the boat picks up speed and the helmsman heads up to close hauled. Keep the sails and the boat heading in sync for maximum acceleration. 12. Wind Shifts The objective is to keep the boat, sails, and wind in sync. When lifted, ease the main and gen to optimize the sail power, then as the helmsman heads up trim in at the same rate as the boat is being turned. When headed, trim in the sails to keep powered up, then ease the sails as the helmsman heads off. 13. Running before the Wind Run directly downwind using a whisker pole for wing and wing configuration. Move crew forward to lift the stern out of the water. Balance the weigh from side to side to steer with no helm either way for maximum speed. Soften the sails easing halyards, outhaul, vang, and backstay tensioner. Steer using weight shifts only. Crew should move very slowly and gently to minimize boat movements. 14. Rounding Marks Two choices. When no other boats are near use the Apex with a symmetrical entry and exit near the mark. When competitors are near enter wide and depart tight to gain clear air and speed after rounding. 
Hope to see you at the 2011 Precision Sailboat Rendezvous!
Please login or register to add comments |
||
| Last Updated ( Jul 26, 2010 at 07:57 PM ) | ||