No Longer a Beginner!
 

Wally wrote:
Walt wrote:

Ok. Then you should also be aware of the fact that "beating" usually
means sailing close hauled and tacking back and forth to go to a point
directly upwind. So it's entirely reasonably for someone to beat
three miles upwind and run three miles back to his starting point.

Got the idea. Would a single leg between tacks therefore be called "a beat",
or is it more like a collective term for the series of tacks?

It's usually used as a collective term for the series.

--
//-Walt
//
// http://cagle.slate.msn.com/working/040514/matson.gif

No Longer a Beginner!
 

Got the idea. Would a single leg between tacks therefore be called "a beat",
or is it more like a collective term for the series of tacks?

Jeepers creepers!


RB

No Longer a Beginner!
 

Harden up because the sheets will have to be tightened.

Cheers

EdGordonRN wrote:
Go from a reach to a beat. Opposite of 'bear away'.

Since you have a desire to eschew standard nautical terminology, what would
you call it?


Hmph. I never knew that. Harden up. We were saying "head up." If we were on a
reach we would say, "head up a little" to change direction into the wind and go
close hauled. So, what does head up mean, then?

No Longer a Beginner!
 

I believe the proper nautical terminology is "Crap! Pull the
centerboard up!"


Indeed! :)

No Longer a Beginner!
 

While it might seem antithetical to go sailing when there's little wind, the
best way to find out how to make way in such conditions is to go out and try
it.

That's true, but it's different if you're racing or if your in a cruising boat.
A dinghy without wind is truly pathetic.

No Longer a Beginner!
 

Ed, you asked what kind of boat I have...here she is. My wife and I sail her
out of City Island.

http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/index.html

RB


Wow! That is truly a fantastic boat. I envy you. We think that one day we might
have a bigger boat. We used to have a Mac 26X, but we sold it. We want to buy
land first, though. We may never return to big boats, but it sure is nice to
see them sail and to look at pictures of them and imagine us sailing them
vicariously. Who knows what the future holds, but that's a nice boat. Good on
you.

Ed

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As long as you both understand what a term means, you'll be fine, but there
could be miscommunication if you ever sail with someone else - that's why
there are standard nautical terms

Agreed.

No Longer a Beginner!
 

While they're similar, there's a subtle difference between "head up" and
"harden up".

To head up is to turn the boat to windward. This might be done to
respond to a change in wind direction or speed - i.e. when a puff hits
the apparent wind moves aft allowing you to head up without re-trimming
the sails.

To harden up is go to a higher point of sail. This involves trimming in
the sails and is usually accompanied by a change in direction as well
(heading up). But not always - i.e. if you're on a reach and encounter a
header you might harden up without heading up.

That said, on a dinghy where you're constantly trimming and feathering
anyway it may be a distinction without a difference.

http://cagle.slate.msn.com/working/040514/matson.gif


Yes, I understand that. Thanks for clearing it up.

No Longer a Beginner!
 

Ok. Then you should also be aware of the fact that "beating" usually
means sailing close hauled and tacking back and forth to go to a point
directly upwind. So it's entirely reasonably for someone to beat three
miles upwind and run three miles back to his starting point. (although
the total distance sailed would be more than 6 miles)

Of course, since Ed is terminologically impared, who knows what the heck
he did.

No, that's exactly what I meant.

No Longer a Beginner!
 

Who knows what the future holds, but that's a nice boat. Good on
you.

Having a small cruising boat like mine is more about having time, rather than
money. Just about anyone can have a nice cruising boat if they're clever about
it. Some people aren't. Glad you're having fun with your boat. Sail the way you
want, just do it safely. Don't let any of the bitter folk here tell you what to
do.

RB