Capt. JG wrote:

I wish these were in better shape. I believe they're sitting on the low side
in a couple of the pics. At one point I told them about that little trick.

Actually, the main is up all the way on both boats. But, it's hard to tell.
They're really shot.


In these two, it definitely looks like the main isn't at
full hoist (looks can be deceiving though)
http://sailnow.photosite.com/~photos...1602080126.jpg

http://sailnow.photosite.com/~photos...1602114220.jpg

The second shot looks like they actually have the boat
moving, not trimmed too badly. One of the tricky (but fun)
parts of sailing in really light air is that apparent wind
plays such a huge role... especially with a relatively fast
boat, like these should be.


There are windex at the top of both masts, but only one of the boats has
tells on the jib. There are about a 1/2 dozen Holder 14s on the lake also. I
occasionally teach that class as well. They're in better shape.


A masthead windex is useless in light air. Every tiny rock
or pitch of the boat gives it a hugely exaggerated "apparent
wind" that has nothing to do with the boat's motion or the
real wind. Often they just spin, other times when you heel
the boat to make the sails set, they hang down.

A really good light air tell-tall is to take a short piece
of thin metal rod, like a coat-hanger, and cut about a 1'
length. Bend it in an "L" shape. Duct tape the long part of
the "L" to the spreader so the short part of the "L" aims
downward. Then put about 6" of audio tape on the end of the
"L". Remember to watch the lee side one as well, because it
will show when there is good flow across the lee side of the
rig which is critical.

The other big tip I have for light air sailing is... get a
Thistle.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King