In ultra lite air conditions, we've found that a really flat main is actually faster than the twisted off round shape that a great many racers seem to favor. Seems that we get and keep better flow attachment with the flat main. Any comments?
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Don Guillette
Alan: Absolutely, on the flat main and jib (don't forget the jib) in ultra lite conditions and here is the reason why. The reason is that the wind does not have enough power to get around the sail when it has any belly. The belly does not allow the wind to stay attached. With the flat main, the flow stays attached. I love racing in those conditions, especially when I see the boats in front of me with an improper sail trim set. No matter what the wind conditions, I watch the set of the sails of those in front of me - not to copy them but to determine how long a day I am are going to have. A lot of these guys, especially in the middle of the pack, don't seem to have much of an idea of what they are doing or, most importantly WHY they are doing it. If they have a very crappy set, I think to myself that it is just a matter of time before we overtake them. If they are set properly for the conditions I know it is going to be a long day. As a note, if a mate can sail in very lite to lite conditions he can sail in anything because he understands the elements of sail trim. The same applies in heavy conditions. A lot of mates allow a good deal of draft depth (belly) in those conditions and if you want to scream along that's not a bad idea but if you want to control the boat just flatten the sail. If that doesn't work, then start throwing in a reef or two. Alan, based on your initial comment regarding the flat sail in ultra lite conditions and the reason you gave, I think I'd be in for a long day if I was behind you!!!
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Alan
Don,
I've been telling my crew for a long time that if you can sail well in ultra lite conditions, then you can sail in almost anything. Our PHRF rating says that we are a slow boat compared to many of our competitors, but in the lite stuff we usually pass most of them. Anyway the reason I brought the subject up was simply to get another discussion going. I really enjoy the exchanges on racing topics and there don't seem to be very many.
I've been telling my crew for a long time that if you can sail well in ultra lite conditions, then you can sail in almost anything. Our PHRF rating says that we are a slow boat compared to many of our competitors, but in the lite stuff we usually pass most of them. Anyway the reason I brought the subject up was simply to get another discussion going. I really enjoy the exchanges on racing topics and there don't seem to be very many.
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Don Guillette
Alan: I hear you. You should be glad you not over on the Catalina list. I was on vacation the first part of Sept and gone for 3 weeks. During that time I received close to 2000 messages that I had to wade through and delete. NOT ONE OF THEM had anything to do with sailing let alone racing. I got into racing shortly after getting out of sailing school because I wanted to become a better sailing. Unfortunately, the winning skippers would not take me on because I didn't have any experience. I ended up on a pickup crew and I thought I was the only sailing idiot on the boat. Turned out I wasn't alone. Nobody really knew anything about sail trim. We'd sail 14 miles on a 7 mile race and the race committee went home way before we crossed the line. I think racing does help refine a sailors skill but one has to constantly experimenting and improving their sail trimming technique with a purpose in mind. I like to race with the middle to back of the pack guys but some of the skippers aren't willing to try anything. I tell them that what do you have to lose by trying what I'm telling you - your 8th out of 10 boats and secondly, why did you ask me on board. Also, a lot of times the skipper will say 'adjust the outhaul". He doesn't say which way or how much. Again, since they invited me on board to review their technique, I ask them what they are trying to accomplish. Most have little idea but after a few minutes of explaining what the outhaul does, they get very good at it. A sailor should make a sail trim change with a purpose in mind. I conduct an "On The Water" training session. It is 4 hours and the 6 sailors rotate through every position on the boat. Once they get the boat going at full speed, we bring the boat head to wind and I mess up every sail trim control. They then have to get the boat going and then we do it again and again on all points of sail. They have to expalin WHat and WHY they are making a change. Another words - the purpose. The first hour is a Chinese fire drill but boy do they shortly get good at it. On the trip back to the dock, we are flying low. Also, during lulls, I have them look at other boats and explain what is wrong with their sails and how they would correct the situation.
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Alan
Luv it
What a great way to learn! Make mistakes and fix 'em. I have to take issue with the skipper who is calling sail trim. The skipper has one and ONLY one job, drive. He should not be: looking at other boats, calling trim, checking the GPS, or any other damn thing. Driving is the most intense and demanding job on the boat. It takes total concentration. We train our guys by making jokes about topless girls on other boats and death roles to see if we can get them to look. It takes some time, but eventually they learn.
What a great way to learn! Make mistakes and fix 'em. I have to take issue with the skipper who is calling sail trim. The skipper has one and ONLY one job, drive. He should not be: looking at other boats, calling trim, checking the GPS, or any other damn thing. Driving is the most intense and demanding job on the boat. It takes total concentration. We train our guys by making jokes about topless girls on other boats and death roles to see if we can get them to look. It takes some time, but eventually they learn.
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