Flying Juniors

[Simon Sexton]

Hey Everyone,

Good morning! A few months ago in Galveston, I participated in a race called the Aggie Cup; this is a regional race for all Sea Scouts to participate and compete for placement in the Koch Cup Regatta that takes place in July. The Koch cup is much more serious, and is an international race, with Sea Scouts from all over the world competing against each other for the win. Typically, the New Zealanders (we call them Kiwis) come in first, since they are practically magicians; this year, I want to change that, as my brother and I placed third in Aggie Cup, and are scheduled to race the Koch Cup in July. Here's the part where I start to list the issues: Every participant will be using the same boat, Flying Juniors (also known as FJs). These are basic, light, centerboard dinghies that are about 14 feet in length.

They aren't especially fast, but are quick to maneuver and are greatly affected by the weight of the crew; that's where I have an issue. I am not overweight, but I enjoy lifting in my garage and exercising more than most; thus, I weigh more than almost everyone else in the race, and so does my brother. At over 300 pounds together, we have the advantage in higher winds, but when the winds are lighter and it comes to the up/downwind legs, everyone else simply blows right past us. I've been dieting and doing more cardio to drop as much weight as possible, but muscle doesn't leave, and my brother is the same. If there are any dinghy racers out there, I would really love to hear some tips from you, as I myself am strictly a keelboat racer, and am not quite familiar enough with the handling characteristics of these smaller, un-ballasted racers.

God Bless,
S.S.

 

[JohnShannon]

I would say in the photo the crew should sit right together and forward. In light air you have kind of a draggy rear end you want to get it out of the water. Light air bow down trim.

You know on the downwind legs to take the centerboard up right? Minimizes drag. Good luck have fun

 

[Simon Sexton]

I would say in the photo the crew should sit right together and forward. In light air you have kind of a draggy rear end you want to get it out of the water. Light air bow down trim.

You know on the downwind legs to take the centerboard up right? Minimizes drag. Good luck have fun

Yes sir, centerboard up on downwind, halfway up on reaching legs. Thank you!

 

[jssailem]

@Simon Sexton sounds like weight means lots of wind needed. You may just be at a disadvantage in light air agains a couple of 120lb dripping wet competitors.
Sail trim. Your image shows a fairly raked mast. Not sure about what is best on the FJ. In my M15 5 degrees was optimal. When going down wind we wanted the mast to be vertical so we sailed with a rather loose mast. The stays were not super tight.
It could be the angles but it appears the boom slants down from the mast.
I always try to set the rig with the boom parallel to the water.
The center board is variable. It helps to stop you from slipping sideways. Pulling it up on may cause your boat to slip sideways. You need to adjust it based on conditions. 1/3 1/2 or 3/4 depends on what the boat is doing. In a blow you may want a bit of board down wind to maintain stability.

Then practice your tacking. Make yourself smooth in the water. And plan your tactics. You should have an advantage over visiting Sailors as you know the water they need to learn where to sail based on conditions ie. tide, wind, etc.

Good luck.

 

[JRacer]

Look up John Kolius and see if he'll coach you.

 

[agprice22]

Yeah, downwind keep your weight centered and centered.... right?

 

[Simon Sexton]

Yeah, downwind keep your weight centered and centered.... right?

Yes sir, hunkered down and keep her stable. Weight amidships, centerboard up; I also slack the outhaul to give the sail more belly, and set the jib for wing-on-wing.

 

[Rick Webb]

Check with some of the local Yacht Clubs and get into their Junior program or the High School Sailing program. They probably have lot's of stuff going on in 420s which will transfer over to the FJ.

 

[Rich Stidger]

1978.
20 year old FJ was my first sailboat.
I didn't have a clue how to sail it. Well actually I did have a clue but it was wrong.
My wife still thinks I am clueless, but that's another story.....

 

[JohnShannon]

You know if you are dead downwind, crank on the outhaul. In DDW the sail is stalled so the goal is maximum projected area. Also DDW try heeling the boat to windward a bit. Also if you are near them pay attention to what the Kiwis are doing it sounds like it is less wrong that what you are doing. Also ask them over a beer they might tell you something

 

[Simon Sexton]

You know if you are dead downwind, crank on the outhaul. In DDW the sail is stalled so the goal is maximum projected area. Also DDW try heeling the boat to windward a bit. Also if you are near them pay attention to what the Kiwis are doing it sounds like it is less wrong that what you are doing. Also ask them over a beer they might tell you something

I'd do that if I could drink, sir but yes, I do kick the boat over to windward; I've gotten mixed orders from different coaches on whether or not to slack the outhaul, but I've always raced with winds so strong that it didn't really matter all too much. I will keep that in mind!

 

[Will Gilmore]

To slack the outhaul for a DDW run takes planing, timing and coordination to pull off without stopping the boom swing significantly mid-course change. You probably won't have time on a short course. You have an advantage of ballast due to your size, learn to use it. Keep the stick as vertical as possible.
Also, get Jackdaw to advise you. I haven't read anyone else's posts on SBO that knows more about racing than him.
Wax the bottom of your boat, if that's legal, I don't know racing rules. It sounds like you've got the theory down, so become a well oiled machine. And learn to read the wind. Being in the right wind can make all the difference. I've been left drifting at the head of a flotilla of floundering racers by one lone skipper who had the right wind while the rest of us just sat and gawked as she crossed the finish line on the outside line. Very frustrating.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[JohnShannon]

Oh I have heard about 400 wet sand paper on the bottom not wax at all. Also try to be at the start line at speed when the gun goes off.

 

[Simon Sexton]

To slack the outhaul for a DDW run takes planing, timing and coordination to pull off without stopping the boom swing significantly mid-course change. You probably won't have time on a short course. You have an advantage of ballast due to your size, learn to use it. Keep the stick as vertical as possible.
Also, get Jackdaw to advise you. I haven't read anyone else's posts on SBO that knows more about racing than him.
Wax the bottom of your boat, if that's legal, I don't know racing rules. It sounds like you've got the theory down, so become a well oiled machine. And learn to read the wind. Being in the right wind can make all the difference. I've been left drifting at the head of a flotilla of floundering racers by one lone skipper who had the right wind while the rest of us just sat and gawked as she crossed the finish line on the outside line. Very frustrating.

- Will (Dragonfly)

Yes sir, I would wax the hull, but, to answer your question, it isn't race-legal, because it would give us an edge on all the other contenders, and that makes things "unfair", but I think certain boats having advantages over others is exciting! Every boat should have its own strength and weakness, which is why I love keelboat racing! Also, I've been sailing in Offatts Bayou since I was little, so I know the winds very well in the Galveston-Kemah area. And yes, I myself have experienced the exact same situation!

 

[Simon Sexton]

Oh I have heard about 400 wet sand paper on the bottom not wax at all. Also try to be at the start line at speed when the gun goes off.

A speeding start is always my goal, but it's taken so much practice to achieve, as the timing must be *perfect*.