Not sure if this is the place... but I went out for a sail today and tried to run wing and wing with the wind, but had trouble keeping the genoa from trying to switch sides (jibe the word?? still learning terminology). I let the headsail flop about because I didn't want to send the boom across the boat. All in all, what are ya'lls techniques for sailing down wind?
Help Running with the wind
- Thread starter KandD
- Start date
- Status
Sailing
Do you have some form of device on the boat that displays wind direction? Windex works well or telltales on your shroud stays. Wing on wing requires almost constant attention in order to keep things under control.
The first thing I do is to swing the boom out to either side and then connect the preventer from the end of the boom to a connect point on the bow. This will help to stop an accidental gybe. I then run the jib sheet as far back to the stern as possible and let the jib open up on the opposite side of the main.
While underway I always place the wind direction slightly in favor of the jib, which helps to keep it filled. You only have about ten to fifteen degrees to play with in keeping both sails working.
If down wind speed is important to you then a broad reach point of sail will result in a faster boat than wing on wing and you can avoid the calamity of an accidental gybe.
Terry Cox
Do you have some form of device on the boat that displays wind direction? Windex works well or telltales on your shroud stays. Wing on wing requires almost constant attention in order to keep things under control.
The first thing I do is to swing the boom out to either side and then connect the preventer from the end of the boom to a connect point on the bow. This will help to stop an accidental gybe. I then run the jib sheet as far back to the stern as possible and let the jib open up on the opposite side of the main.
While underway I always place the wind direction slightly in favor of the jib, which helps to keep it filled. You only have about ten to fifteen degrees to play with in keeping both sails working.
If down wind speed is important to you then a broad reach point of sail will result in a faster boat than wing on wing and you can avoid the calamity of an accidental gybe.
Terry Cox
Is actually very easy with the proper equipment. To keep the main in its place and prevent an accidental jibe a preventer is used. To keep the genoa in its place a jib pole is used. Without either the balancing act of wing on wing requires touch and concentration and is usually shortlived.
Preventer and a pole just like the guys mentioned. I would add a word of caution about the pole. Make sure that you have an experienced foredeck crew, especially if the wind is up. On a recent outing we got hit a couple of times with building winds and seas. The pole can be a handfull.
It also made us add a "boom brake" to our wish list. With big following seas I want something that can be easily managed from the cockpit. My preventer required too much on deck time.
It also made us add a "boom brake" to our wish list. With big following seas I want something that can be easily managed from the cockpit. My preventer required too much on deck time.
I use the boom vang as a preventer. I detach it from the base of the mast and clip it to the toe rail. Requires very little effort and works well. I only use the whisker pole when experienced crew is aboard. Would hate for someone to get hurt or lose it over the side.
I think a typical Marconi rig (Not a gaff or other rig) doesn't sail directly downwind that well. It is a PITA, for the most part. Mastheads are the worst. Their smallish mains kill the jib so its ineffective. Wind does oscillate and every shift causes a need to change course or readjust the sail. A pole helps but for a typical man and wife crew guess who's going up in any kind of breeze? Better not have forgotten her birthday!
Preventers have their detracters. I've personally seen a boom bent like a pretzle by a preventer that was not released for a jibe.
So, when I need to sail directly downwind I usually head up enough to make a unscheduled jibe unlikely and keep the sails full. I sail a longer distance but I have more speed and its more relaxing and enjoyable.
Preventers have their detracters. I've personally seen a boom bent like a pretzle by a preventer that was not released for a jibe.
So, when I need to sail directly downwind I usually head up enough to make a unscheduled jibe unlikely and keep the sails full. I sail a longer distance but I have more speed and its more relaxing and enjoyable.
Wing and wing is a difficult tack, you either have to pay constant attention, or rig preventers and poles. Or both.
One thing I have found is to actually sheet the main in a bit, this helps funnel air into the headsail and keep it filled. If your boat has a rig with swept back spreaders, that is pretty much your only option.
If you can't avoid sailing wing and wing and know you will be on that tack for a long time, you can also just drop the main and sail under genoa. You only lose a hair of speed, a genoa works great going dead downwind, and it is much easier to deal with. Set the autopilot, kick back and enjoy the ride!!
-Mark
One thing I have found is to actually sheet the main in a bit, this helps funnel air into the headsail and keep it filled. If your boat has a rig with swept back spreaders, that is pretty much your only option.
If you can't avoid sailing wing and wing and know you will be on that tack for a long time, you can also just drop the main and sail under genoa. You only lose a hair of speed, a genoa works great going dead downwind, and it is much easier to deal with. Set the autopilot, kick back and enjoy the ride!!
-Mark
Sailing DDW is the absolute worst course to follow. As has been mentioned, an accidental jibe of the main is ALWAYS waiting for the inattentive helmsman. Also sailing DDW is the slowest point of sail.
By sailing higher, the risk of accidental jibe disappears, boat speed increases and the crew will be far more comfortable. But now that the threat of a jibe has gone you now have to deal with the jib/genoa. A line control whisker pole is the answer to this issue. Setting the pole with a pole foreguy and downhaul is the answer. The headsail will be easily controlled by the pole and the pole will create the proper shape in the sail. Do not use a fixed length whisker pole, it will not be able to adjust for the various sailing angles.
Yes the line control whisker pole costs more money but it can do the job that fixed poles simply cannot.
By sailing higher, the risk of accidental jibe disappears, boat speed increases and the crew will be far more comfortable. But now that the threat of a jibe has gone you now have to deal with the jib/genoa. A line control whisker pole is the answer to this issue. Setting the pole with a pole foreguy and downhaul is the answer. The headsail will be easily controlled by the pole and the pole will create the proper shape in the sail. Do not use a fixed length whisker pole, it will not be able to adjust for the various sailing angles.
Yes the line control whisker pole costs more money but it can do the job that fixed poles simply cannot.
Kand: I assume from your post you are somewhat new to sailing these kind of boats. There is a lot of sound advice above. Keep your boat 20-30 from DDW and you will enjoy more. On the same angle of sail why not consider a chute. They are not that difficult to handle when you use a sock. More often than not, I will put up the chute on these angles and put away the main. The chute is colorful and makes for a much more enjoyable sail. Perfect time for music and a cool one.
- Status