My daughter and I started racing "NeverLand" in the non-spinnaker or JAM class about 9 months ago. She's 12 years old without a whole lot of upper body strength, I'm 41 and falling apart every day. This has become our "special thing" to do together so we don't want to add extra crew. So far we've made a few modifications/upgrades that have made a real difference in ease of handling and our competitiveness. I'm looking for other suggestions to help out the old man and his girl. By far the biggest improvement we've made is a new Main and 135% headsail. Putting the 12+ year old 110% and main into retirement has moved us up to the top 25% of a fairly competitive JAM class. Weather helm is no longer a problem and sail trim is really becoming a passion. Servicing the primary winches was a real revelation . We've owned the boat for about 3 years and while the boat was well maintained when we bought it, I'd hate to guess when the bearings had last seen the light of day. Grinding in for a new tack is MUCH easier. I'm in the process of upgrading the mainsheet blocks. So far I've replace two of the Merriman's with roller bearing Harkens, reduced the mainsheet to 3/8" and plan to increase the purchase from 5:1 to 6:1. That's helped a lot. Kate can make adjustments to the main in lighter winds and with a new fiddle and increased purchase should be able to handle it in more pressure. Upgrading or improving the traveler will probably be my next move. I'd really like to have the lines cleat on the cabintop but I'd love to get some suggestions for other fall/winter projects. Thanks in advance, Andy
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Bill O'Donovan
Try these
1. If you haven't already, install a jam cleat vertically at the mast to temporarily hold the halyard while hoisting. It gives you a break between tugs and enables you to go back to the well more leisurely to pull in all the slack before grinding. 2. Consider a second set of blocks for the boom vang to double your purchase, so that the line goes through all four blocks. This will enable you to flatten the main more easily and more quickly. 3. Redeploy the jib furling line to Clear Step blocks mounted on the stanchions, and use the built-in blocks for a permanent tack line for the spinnaker. That way the tack line is out of the way, yet always at the ready. 4. Consider an 8-foot bowsprit mounted quasi-permanently in the anchor locker. This will enable you to throw the spin well ahead of the main and avoid blanketing. I have perfected the thing and will send you free pix and directions if you send me your mailing address. 5. Outfit each of you with portable IPRB transmitters in case you fall overboard. Weave them into the web of your PFD, which encourages you to wear that as well. 6. Deploy a jackline from stem to stern, up the middle, and flat webbing not line, and buy a tether to attach to the jackline. It will give you peace of mind about not falling overboard. My girls are 30 and 28 and grown and gone. We miss them terribly on board, so cherish every moment.
1. If you haven't already, install a jam cleat vertically at the mast to temporarily hold the halyard while hoisting. It gives you a break between tugs and enables you to go back to the well more leisurely to pull in all the slack before grinding. 2. Consider a second set of blocks for the boom vang to double your purchase, so that the line goes through all four blocks. This will enable you to flatten the main more easily and more quickly. 3. Redeploy the jib furling line to Clear Step blocks mounted on the stanchions, and use the built-in blocks for a permanent tack line for the spinnaker. That way the tack line is out of the way, yet always at the ready. 4. Consider an 8-foot bowsprit mounted quasi-permanently in the anchor locker. This will enable you to throw the spin well ahead of the main and avoid blanketing. I have perfected the thing and will send you free pix and directions if you send me your mailing address. 5. Outfit each of you with portable IPRB transmitters in case you fall overboard. Weave them into the web of your PFD, which encourages you to wear that as well. 6. Deploy a jackline from stem to stern, up the middle, and flat webbing not line, and buy a tether to attach to the jackline. It will give you peace of mind about not falling overboard. My girls are 30 and 28 and grown and gone. We miss them terribly on board, so cherish every moment.
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Paul
How about adjustable jib lead blocks?
... those are nice for racing, when you hate to wait until the next tack to get your lead block in the right spot. Don't forget to check out Garhauer for blocks, traveler components, clutches and other equipment. Your bucks will go much further, and they're just as good -- or better -- than that UK stuff. A new Garhauer rigid vang: $297 Racing with your girl: priceless Paul sv Escape Artist h336
... those are nice for racing, when you hate to wait until the next tack to get your lead block in the right spot. Don't forget to check out Garhauer for blocks, traveler components, clutches and other equipment. Your bucks will go much further, and they're just as good -- or better -- than that UK stuff. A new Garhauer rigid vang: $297 Racing with your girl: priceless Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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Cliff Ruckstuhl
Safety
I also raced with my kids. We won our Club Championship together and had some great times. I also am 41 and falling apart. I must stress how important it is to have you daughter learn to do everything on the boat. Dropping sail's starting the motor can mean life and death. If you were to fall off the boat she would need to now how to come and get you. My 2 children at the time of our racing were 11 & 14. They could sail the boat with out me. I had taught them how to do all of this when they were younger 5 & 8. Being freshly divorced it was just us on the boat so they needed to know what to do. They were also well versed in using the radio. I would have them call the Race committe and other boats on a regular basis to get them not to be radio shy. My daughter Brooke would do the driving I would do the trimming on my son Aric was the bow man he skirted the head sail off the life lines. We got to be pretty good and would piss off most all the other boats who were sailing with an all guy adult crew. Enjoy this time with her as this will be something you and her will always have. But remember when she hits about 16 she may want to do other things and you will lose her as crew for a while. Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
I also raced with my kids. We won our Club Championship together and had some great times. I also am 41 and falling apart. I must stress how important it is to have you daughter learn to do everything on the boat. Dropping sail's starting the motor can mean life and death. If you were to fall off the boat she would need to now how to come and get you. My 2 children at the time of our racing were 11 & 14. They could sail the boat with out me. I had taught them how to do all of this when they were younger 5 & 8. Being freshly divorced it was just us on the boat so they needed to know what to do. They were also well versed in using the radio. I would have them call the Race committe and other boats on a regular basis to get them not to be radio shy. My daughter Brooke would do the driving I would do the trimming on my son Aric was the bow man he skirted the head sail off the life lines. We got to be pretty good and would piss off most all the other boats who were sailing with an all guy adult crew. Enjoy this time with her as this will be something you and her will always have. But remember when she hits about 16 she may want to do other things and you will lose her as crew for a while. Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
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Andy Howard
Thanks guys
All are great ideas. Bill I would like to see your setup. We're not doing spinnaker- yet - and when we do we'll use an assymetrical so that would be a big help. Andy Howard PO Box 276 Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 abhoward@charter.net I have to admit that MOB skills have not been a real priority, we both wear inflatable PFD's, but with the water getting a little chilly, maybe it's time to run a few drills.
All are great ideas. Bill I would like to see your setup. We're not doing spinnaker- yet - and when we do we'll use an assymetrical so that would be a big help. Andy Howard PO Box 276 Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 abhoward@charter.net I have to admit that MOB skills have not been a real priority, we both wear inflatable PFD's, but with the water getting a little chilly, maybe it's time to run a few drills.
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Mark Burrows
Bill's Spinaker Rig
Bill: Please post any pictures of the way you have rigged your spinnaker. It sounds like you only fly and assymetrical Spinaker. Is the 8ft bow sprit legal with respect to length of the pole and how it is mounted? Does the spinnaker tack line also run through your bow sprit? Markdb
Bill: Please post any pictures of the way you have rigged your spinnaker. It sounds like you only fly and assymetrical Spinaker. Is the 8ft bow sprit legal with respect to length of the pole and how it is mounted? Does the spinnaker tack line also run through your bow sprit? Markdb
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Alan
Re:8' pole
I'd be very interested to see your 8' pole setup. How much of a penalty did they hit you with? When I asked about a sprit pole on my boat they hinted at up to 12 seconds and that was for a 6'.
I'd be very interested to see your 8' pole setup. How much of a penalty did they hit you with? When I asked about a sprit pole on my boat they hinted at up to 12 seconds and that was for a 6'.
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Mark Burrows
Sprit may be unpenalized
I found this rule on the PHRF of the Chesapeake site. "C. Unpenalized foot (AF) shall be no greater than (J * (SPL%/100) * 1.8). SPL% shall include extendible bowsprits.
I found this rule on the PHRF of the Chesapeake site. "C. Unpenalized foot (AF) shall be no greater than (J * (SPL%/100) * 1.8). SPL% shall include extendible bowsprits.
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Alan
That rule..
..talks about the size of your akite. Your SPL is spelled out on your PHRF cert. This formula states that the foot of your akite must fall within that spec to qualify as a no penalty sail. Thats not to say that you cannot have a sprit, but you will pay a price for it.
..talks about the size of your akite. Your SPL is spelled out on your PHRF cert. This formula states that the foot of your akite must fall within that spec to qualify as a no penalty sail. Thats not to say that you cannot have a sprit, but you will pay a price for it.
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Mike B
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Alan
Re: Huh?
These are all various terms used in racing. If you plan on racing I suggest that you contact your local US Sailing organization and apply for your PHRF certificate which you will need in order to participate. It will explain most of the terms that you mention. You should also join US Sailing, which is the national governing body. Membership is $35 and includes Sailing World magazine, which can teach a great deal. That's where I got my start. Best of luck.
These are all various terms used in racing. If you plan on racing I suggest that you contact your local US Sailing organization and apply for your PHRF certificate which you will need in order to participate. It will explain most of the terms that you mention. You should also join US Sailing, which is the national governing body. Membership is $35 and includes Sailing World magazine, which can teach a great deal. That's where I got my start. Best of luck.
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Mike
Racing With Kids
I've raced with my kids for years, my 24 year old son is now back into it after an absence of a few years (school, work, girls, etc.) but my 21 year old and 12 year old daughters are there, we cleaned up in our JOG class (JAM) for a few years and now have moved up to spinnaker class and are having a BLAST! Don't race with my wife though (her choice) but the kids and I have a ton of fun - I also agree to let the kids drive - my 12 year old placed real well in a few races in some tough wind/wave conditions but at that age they don't have much apprehension (and I also make sure the kids know that handling the boat is important for them to learn) we also have a rule of no yelling on the boat. This keeps everyone comfortable and having a good time. I've done stuff to help the kids like 2 speed winches, all lines led to cockpit, extra purchase on main sheet and vang, etc., Kids on the water are great and seeing a boat full of really competitive guys as you pass them on wild spinnaker reach is - well.... PRICELSS! Keep having fun with the kids - it's the most important thing we do. Mike Lippmann S/V Bears Neccessity Too
I've raced with my kids for years, my 24 year old son is now back into it after an absence of a few years (school, work, girls, etc.) but my 21 year old and 12 year old daughters are there, we cleaned up in our JOG class (JAM) for a few years and now have moved up to spinnaker class and are having a BLAST! Don't race with my wife though (her choice) but the kids and I have a ton of fun - I also agree to let the kids drive - my 12 year old placed real well in a few races in some tough wind/wave conditions but at that age they don't have much apprehension (and I also make sure the kids know that handling the boat is important for them to learn) we also have a rule of no yelling on the boat. This keeps everyone comfortable and having a good time. I've done stuff to help the kids like 2 speed winches, all lines led to cockpit, extra purchase on main sheet and vang, etc., Kids on the water are great and seeing a boat full of really competitive guys as you pass them on wild spinnaker reach is - well.... PRICELSS! Keep having fun with the kids - it's the most important thing we do. Mike Lippmann S/V Bears Neccessity Too
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Mark Burrows
Old enough to race?
My wife and I have been discussing how old the kid should be before doing a lot of sailing and racing. I think any age is okay for just sailing. You just need to have the right safety equipment (pfds, jacklines, harness) and on-board rules (on deck, pfd on). As for racing, I think the 5 year old would enjoy it as long as winning the race is not the objective. Other thoughts? Markdb
My wife and I have been discussing how old the kid should be before doing a lot of sailing and racing. I think any age is okay for just sailing. You just need to have the right safety equipment (pfds, jacklines, harness) and on-board rules (on deck, pfd on). As for racing, I think the 5 year old would enjoy it as long as winning the race is not the objective. Other thoughts? Markdb
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