light air
 

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.

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.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:

Some of my students struggling with light air... Fortunately, the weather
has cooled off, so today should be a bit better. Notice the kayak
drifting faster than they're sailing... :-)

http://sailnow.photosite.com/CSUS6-29-2006/



Holder 20? Cool boat, I'd like to find one.

Your students can make a vast improvement with a couple of easy steps. One
is to double check the set of the sails... looks like the main isn't
hoisted all the way. Another easy thing is to sit to leeward so the boat
heels a little, and allows the sails to take a natural shape. A set of
very light tell-tales helps a LOT, if you don't know which way the wind is
blowing, you can't sail to it. About 8" of audio tape is great for this...
best use for your old disco cassettes!

Interesting set of photos... I've got a whole box of light-air racing pics
I used to study with my crews. Thanks for posting them.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

light air
 

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

light air
 

Looks like it for sure, but the main really is up all the way. I like the
method about making a tell tale.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
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

light air
 

Capt. JG wrote:

Looks like it for sure, but the main really is up all the way.


OK at this point I'm probably being a jark, it *really*
doesn't look like it.

This one does
http://www.first285.com/holder20/a8.jpg

... I like the
method about making a tell tale.


Just remember to not break them off when flying a spinnaker
or a genoa with big overlap. I've done it, doesn't work as
well ;)

DSK

light air
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On 29 Jun 2006 12:13:41 -0700, "Capt. Rob" said:

No, that's not what a sailor does. You get out there, hoist the sails
and practice light air with whatever comes.

I can understand why, with the conditions you generally experience in that
end of the Sound at this time of year, you need to make a virtue of
necessity. Hell, I used to do the same thing when I had a boat there. But
most of us sail to enjoy sailing rather than sitting in a bathtub, and
have
no need to prove anything by sitting around with the limp sails flapping.

Ya know, I seriously doubt if bubbles actually practices what he preaches,
and it isn't like he races.

John Cairns

light air
 

While I was hunting for Holder 20 pics I saw this alarming
little scenario

http://www.latitude38.com/LectronicL...kingHolder.jpg

"Sinking: it's not just for J-24s any more!"

DSK

light air
 

"DSK" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:

Some of my students struggling with light air... Fortunately, the weather
has cooled off, so today should be a bit better. Notice the kayak
drifting faster than they're sailing... :-)

http://sailnow.photosite.com/CSUS6-29-2006/



Holder 20? Cool boat, I'd like to find one.

Your students can make a vast improvement with a couple of easy steps. One
is to double check the set of the sails... looks like the main isn't
hoisted all the way. Another easy thing is to sit to leeward so the boat
heels a little, and allows the sails to take a natural shape. A set of
very light tell-tales helps a LOT, if you don't know which way the wind is
blowing, you can't sail to it. About 8" of audio tape is great for this...
best use for your old disco cassettes!

Interesting set of photos... I've got a whole box of light-air racing pics
I used to study with my crews. Thanks for posting them.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King


Why would I want to ruin a perfectly good disco tape?

light air
 

No.. not being a jerk. I'm betting that they just don't belong on the boats.
The gooseneck isn't adjustable (maybe it was at one point, but it isn't now.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:

Looks like it for sure, but the main really is up all the way.


OK at this point I'm probably being a jark, it *really* doesn't look like
it.

This one does
http://www.first285.com/holder20/a8.jpg

... I like the method about making a tell tale.


Just remember to not break them off when flying a spinnaker or a genoa
with big overlap. I've done it, doesn't work as well ;)

DSK

light air
 

They're hard to sink, but it is possible. Apparently, someone had one of the
Holders who shouldn't have. Put a huge gash in the side from hitting the
corner of the dock. You can see the duct tape... yeah, I know, I know... in
this picture...

http://www.sailnow.photosite.com/CSU...MG_0487_1.html

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
...
While I was hunting for Holder 20 pics I saw this alarming little scenario

http://www.latitude38.com/LectronicL...kingHolder.jpg

"Sinking: it's not just for J-24s any more!"

DSK

light air
 

Capt. JG wrote:
They're hard to sink, but it is possible. Apparently, someone had one of the
Holders who shouldn't have. Put a huge gash in the side from hitting the
corner of the dock. You can see the duct tape... yeah, I know, I know... in
this picture...

http://www.sailnow.photosite.com/CSU...MG_0487_1.html


OUCH

Sounds like they're using these boats up... not uncommon
with club-owned boats.

DSK