what's a good analogy for reefing?

[Gunni]

If understanding the concept of reefing and a balanced rig were simple I would not be seeing so many sailors WAY over canvassed for the conditions they are sailing in. Yesterday I was tacking out the Choptank River, reefed down in 20 knot winds passing boat after boat dragging their rudders under too much sail, unable to point. Perhaps the angle of heel had them thinking they were going fast!

In any case it would not have been a fun time for their passengers.

 

[Daveinet]

The problem with an analogy is that it only capture one aspect of the affect. Not only does reefing reduce the sail area, but it also lowers where the force is applied. Trying to capture both concepts may be difficult with an analogy.

May I suggest and alternative. Build yourself a small primitive model sailboat. Blow on the sail, and let them see the result. Much easier to visualize when you see it right in front of you. The model should help many other explanations as well. A picture is worth a thousand words worth of analogy. It also will prevent misunderstandings.

 

[JRacer]

How about having them hold a long stick (dowel rod) with a weight tied to (hung from) the end. And a shorter stick with the same amount of weight similarly tied. Ask them which one is harder to hold in the horizontal. The engineer types should easily understand arm's and moment's.

 

[rgranger]

Only one size kite string
Smaller kite on a blusty day... Otherwise you break the string

 

[Head Sail]

Why does it need an anology? Higher wind, smaller sail. It's a pretty simple concept. Trying to relate it to something else is probably just confusing. I'd look at you cross-eyed, too, if you were trying to relate it to car parts!

I agree, no analogy required. Full mainsail = X sq ft. Reefed mainsail = Y sq ft.

 

[kito]

The problem with an analogy is that it only capture one aspect of the affect. Not only does reefing reduce the sail area, but it also lowers where the force is applied. Trying to capture both concepts may be difficult with an analogy.

May I suggest and alternative. Build yourself a small primitive model sailboat. Blow on the sail, and let them see the result. Much easier to visualize when you see it right in front of you. The model should help many other explanations as well. A picture is worth a thousand words worth of analogy. It also will prevent misunderstandings.

Now we are going to build a model? Has our Maker stopped handing out "common sense"? If a kid can't understand the reefing concept just by telling them, maybe they need to find a different hobby. The original question is why you reef when the wind picks up....don't need all these sail trim analytics. They won't understand anyway....just confuse them more.

 

[Tsam]

In a strong wind storm on land it is the big trees that tend to be blown down. The smaller trees survive.

 

[Kermit]

I like analogies. Jackdaw's works well for me. In fact, it really works for me. And I didn't realize I needed an analogy.

 

[woodster]

I like analogies. Jackdaw's works well for me. In fact, it really works for me. And I didn't realize I needed an analogy.

lobotomy might help you some

 

[Meriachee]

Even though the Hunter is a much more stable boat than the Mac 26S was, I think I'll still have to reef more often to get the admiral out on breezy days.

That may be real underlying downside to the Mac. The tippiness sets the expectation going forward. It has taken a few years to get her past that.

 

[Daveinet]

They won't understand anyway....just confuse them more.

I would suggest that there are different types of learners. My youngest daughter I can just tell her, and it makes sense. My older daughter functions much better with pictures or a model. Both will understand.

 

[Kermit]

lobotomy might help you some

Another one?

 

[woodster]

Another one?

no no once you have been set free you can't do it again...there are laws against double lobotomy

 

[Kermit]

no no once you have been set free you can't do it again...there are laws against double lobotomy

Which is why I won't be going back to jail again. At least not for that.

 

[Meriachee]

Double lobotomy jeopardy? Sounds like the basis for a reality tv show.

 

[Kermit]

But seriously, back to analogies. I didn't understand telltales on the jib until my ASA 101 instructor used an analogy. "The telltales are happy when they're flying straight. When your wife is unhappy with you, don't you turn away from her? When one telltale is unhappy turn away from it." That was six years ago. I still think of that analogy.
(Go ahead, Woodster. Lay it on thick. But it's still a good analogy.)

 

[kappykaplan]

Once again, you amaze, little frog! I like that analogy!!

 

[Daveinet]

One analogy that does work is comparing sail draft to a car transmission. The wind is horsepower, draft is like choosing your gearing to make the best use of the available HP. If you run out of HP/wind, you need to "downshift" to keep the boat moving.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Yes, that one does work for me because I used to like driving a stick shift ... especially in the snow. My Suburu has those little paddles on the steering wheel for manually shifting gears. I don't really like them, but still do like shifting gears while driving up and down the hills in a snowstorm.

 

[Kermit]

If you run out of HP/wind, you need to "downshift" to keep the boat moving.

Put the sail up to downshift and down to upshift. Perfect analogy(?) Sorta like sitting in the stands, parking in the driveway and driving on the parkway.