Down Wind-Reposition Weight Back?

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Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
When sailing (racing) down wind, is it best to reposition stuff down below to the back of the boat?
 
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
Its illegal in most race rules to move gear out of its normal position during a race

Like stacking the sail inventory back and forth on port and starboard tacks
 

Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
I Did Not Know That

Its illegal in most race rules to move gear out of its normal position during a race.

But it is ok move the crew to the back of the boat right?
 

Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
Re: I Did Not Know That

So while the crew is moving about the boat and bring sails up and down from below they can place the sails in a new location...lets just say on the high side and they would therefore not be breaking any rules.

Correct?
 
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
You can do all your normal stuff BUT most of the time if your changing a head sail it would be going up on the leward side
 

Ducati

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Nov 19, 2008
380
Boatless Boatless Annapolis
Thanks

Back to my question. Where should the weight be on a boat when going downwind?
 
Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
How come those very expensive racing boat can pump ballast water from one side to the other?

Look at Oracle-BMW and Alangi AC race. That must be legal?
 
Jan 13, 2009
394
J Boat 92 78 Sandusky
It really depends on the wind strength. When the wind is light, weight forward to reduce wetted surface and reduce the drag of the wide stern of a 36.7. As you near hull speed crew weight should move aft. In heavy air downwind as much crew weight aft and and windward as possible to keep flow over the rudder for control.

After the the warning gun shifting sails, stuff below etc is forbidden outside of the normal movement for sail changes etc. Races that allow water ballasted boats or canting keels provide an exception to the rules of racing regarding moveable ballast.
 
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
Its a depends thing

For example you cant have and electric bilge pump on a class legal J24 to avoide the whole water balast issue and you have to stow things in pretty specfic places
 
Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Ducati...

When racing down wind, we try to keep the crew behind the mast as much as possible to keep weight off the bow so as to counteract the asym's pressure that tends to push the bow down. It provides a smooter entry at the bow, especially in riding over wave chop.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,186
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
On small boats, racing dinghies and catamarans..... you have to move the crew aft to keep the boat from pitchpoling. Watch the crew on the trapeze line.... they move fore and aft to keep the boat balanced...

In very light air it helps to move the crew forward to get the aft end of the vessel up, out of the water.

If you're racing.... and you have a lot junk down below that you can move around... then you shouldn't have it on board anyway.
 
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