Learning to sail better

[MikeFloutier]

You haven't mentioned your CB/DB.

Next time you're out try moving it about; you'll notice that it makes a huge difference to the Balance, it's like you've turned the wheel/tiller.

These adjustable foils we have are such a big advantage over fixed keel boats in so many different ways.

[Baha]

Mike,

Very true, and no ends of variables to play with...especially in our conditions. You need to come to Norfolk sometime! When I have bags of time, I would love to come down to sail in your backyard.

[Wind Chime]

You haven't mentioned your CB/DB.

Next time you're out try moving it about; you'll notice that it makes a huge difference to the Balance, it's like you've turned the wheel/tiller.

These adjustable foils we have are such a big advantage over fixed keel boats in so many different ways.

Just as a reminder;
The Centreboard/Daggerboard (keel) is adjustable - the steering rudders ARE NOT.
They must be all the way up - or all the way down.

[MikeFloutier]

Mike,

Very true, and no ends of variables to play with...especially in our conditions. You need to come to Norfolk sometime! When I have bags of time, I would love to come down to sail in your backyard.

You'd be very welcome, I'm on a mooring and can be sailing within half an hour of leaving home. Many thanks for your invite but I doubt we'll be leaving Cornwall for a few years; we just retired and moved down from London, having spent a lot holidaying here for the previous 10 years and we're not in a hurry to leave

[DaveC426913]

If I want to move the sheet forward, I set the traveller all the way to leeward.

My traveller is 1 cm wide. And that's being generous.

[Baha]

If I want to move the sheet forward, I set the traveller all the way to leeward.

My traveller is 1 cm wide. And that's being generous.

And, it is more effective if actually attached to the vessel...

My next mission when single-handing is to re-rig my boom vang so it can be controlled from the cockpit...and see how much difference that makes. I am also figuring out that, in this part of the world, it is better to start with my one available reef in the main unless the wind is below a 3. We have lots of gusty days here.

[sailboatmike]

And, it is more effective if actually attached to the vessel...

[C Buchs]

If I want to move the sheet forward, I set the traveller all the way to leeward.

My traveller is 1 cm wide. And that's being generous.

I move my mainsheet to the rail for sailing wing-on-wing to act as a preventer. I'm still thinking of rigging duel mainsheets. One attached to the pedestal and one attached to the rail. Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

Jeff

[Tomfoolery]

If I want to move the sheet forward, I set the traveller all the way to leeward.

My traveller is 1 cm wide. And that's being generous.

I move my mainsheet to the rail for sailing wing-on-wing to act as a preventer. I'm still thinking of rigging duel mainsheets. One attached to the pedestal and one attached to the rail. Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

Jeff

I do exactly that when wing-on-wing. I have the upgraded mainsheet system (airblocks, basically) from BWY, and use the old one as a preventer off the lifeline stanchion. It's not as far forward as I'd like, but the boom can't get up a head of steam if backwinded, so it does what's required.

Sometimes, if I want to hold the boom really still, I rig a better preventer from far forward, with a small block to bring it back to the cockpit. But the spare main sheet system can be rigged without leaving the cockpit, so that's a big advantage.

[C Buchs]

My next mission when single-handing is to re-rig my boom vang so it can be controlled from the cockpit...and see how much difference that makes. I am also figuring out that, in this part of the world, it is better to start with my one available reef in the main unless the wind is below a 3. We have lots of gusty days here.

I finally ran my boom vang back to the cockpit. Now I actually use it and it helps. However, a new sail would help more

Jeff

[BOAT]

You guys actually run the mainsheet from that little hook on top of that U bar thing??



Holy Crap, that would never work on the M boat - the mainsheet would pull the pedestal right out of the cockpit!

[Tomfoolery]

You guys actually run the mainsheet from that little hook on top of that U bar thing??



Holy Crap, that would never work on the M boat - the mainsheet would pull the pedestal right out of the cockpit!

There's a strap eye on the pedestal, which is the OEM connection point for the main sheet lower block with cam cleat. The helm guard is from BWY, and I added one too.

[BOAT]

You guys actually run the mainsheet from that little hook on top of that U bar thing??



Holy Crap, that would never work on the M boat - the mainsheet would pull the pedestal right out of the cockpit!

There's a strap eye on the pedestal, which is the OEM connection point for the main sheet lower block with cam cleat. The helm guard is from BWY, and I added one too.

Wow, - there is no way the pedestal on the M boat could ever take the force that is applied to the traveler that is bolted down through the deck to a steel ladder all the way down to the sole liner. The force of the main sheet being closer to midway on the boom would yank the pedestal right out of the boat. I can prove that. (I have pictures of an experiment that went very wrong).

[Tomfoolery]

The bail on the is near the end of the boom, which does not extend much past the helm, so the forces aren't as high as they would be if it was further forward (like mid-boom sheeting). And the helm is pretty strong despite being made of thin FRP. There are four SS bolts at the bottom to attach it to angles which in turn are attached to the cockpit sole with thru-bolts. The holes in the helm of my boat have gotten a little egged, and I may fill and drill at some point, but they have plenty of edge distance, and there doesn't seem to be any real danger of them ripping out, so not a high priority.

[sailboatmike]

That pic of the main sheet connection just got me thinking, maybe for the X we could make say a 12 inch long traveller (I know not ideal but could be better than nothing) and attach it to the front of that connection point, now their is food for thought.

Any thoughts????