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#1
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next
year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? |
#2
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
"Richard" wrote in message
ups.com... It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? Not sure what you're asking. This size boat can be quite stable and enjoyable in up to about 25 kts wind, assuming you reef as appropriate. I sailed a Catalina 27 for years on the SF bay in condition such as this with no problem. If you're unfamiliar with sailing in these conditions, take some lessons. Where are you sailing? -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#3
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
Richard wrote:
It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? It depends entirely on how much you like to tack! If you're racing you would want to take advantage of every real shift, perhaps tacking every few minutes. If you're daysailing with "no particular place to go" what does it matter? A properly executed tack has very little loss; if you have to explain which way to wrap the winch it might not be worth it. I often sailed my Nonsuch 30 like it was a dinghy, tacking on every shift, and often beating faster boats upwind because it was easy to sail efficiently. I tack my catamaran much less frequently, and generally power rather than tack out of a harbor. FWIW, if you're going a distance upwind and you're always on the wrong side of 5 degree headers, you could end up sailing 15% further. If, however, you just ignore the 5 degree shifts, you'll perhaps be giving up about 7-8%, or about 5 minutes on every hour. Or, you could just adopt the motto "Gentlemen don't sail to windward." |
#4
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
On 17 Oct '07, Richard wrote:
What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? Good question. Unfortunately, I can't imagine that there would be any hard and fast rule. It all depends on the situation so experience and judgement would matter. For simple example, a boat on the far right side of the course on port tack, might tack on a 1 degree header. Same boat on the far left side of the course probably wouldn't. Anyhow, I'll be interested to see if anybody comes up with a one size fits all rule. Rick |
#5
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
jeff wrote:
Or, you could just adopt the motto "Gentlemen don't sail to windward." Oh you don't want to do that, you'll wind in the same place as Jax. Cheers Marty |
#6
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
Richard,
Don't be a "Tail Wagger" Every time you use the rudder its the same as stepping on the brake in your car. If a header is worth changing course for, do it by sail trim. That's why you have a crew. |
#7
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
On Oct 18, 1:33 am, "Capt. JG" wrote:
"Richard" wrote in message ups.com... It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? Not sure what you're asking. This size boat can be quite stable and enjoyable in up to about 25 kts wind, assuming you reef as appropriate. I sailed a Catalina 27 for years on the SF bay in condition such as this with no problem. If you're unfamiliar with sailing in these conditions, take some lessons. Where are you sailing? -- "j" ganz I'm asking the question that Jeff answered. (oversimplified example Dingy sailors tack on every header. At some point, in larger boats, is there a point of diminishing returns, where it would NOT be best to tack on every header?? I joined the Navy Yacht Club in San Diego, CA. They have Catalina 27's and 250's. I just qualified, in the 27's/250's, so will be sailing both until next spring to see the differences, and get experience. |
#8
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
On Oct 18, 7:08 am, jeff wrote:
Richard wrote: It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? It depends entirely on how much you like to tack! If you're racing you would want to take advantage of every real shift, perhaps tacking every few minutes. If you're daysailing with "no particular place to go" what does it matter? A properly executed tack has very little loss; if you have to explain which way to wrap the winch it might not be worth it. I often sailed my Nonsuch 30 like it was a dinghy, tacking on every shift, and often beating faster boats upwind because it was easy to sail efficiently. I tack my catamaran much less frequently, and generally power rather than tack out of a harbor. FWIW, if you're going a distance upwind and you're always on the wrong side of 5 degree headers, you could end up sailing 15% further. If, however, you just ignore the 5 degree shifts, you'll perhaps be giving up about 7-8%, or about 5 minutes on every hour. Or, you could just adopt the motto "Gentlemen don't sail to windward." Thanks. That was helpful. The 12 different courses used by the club are mostly triangles, (using different channel buoys to make shorter/longer courses) and the total distances range from about 3 miles to about 5 miles, so the beats and runs are about .5-.75 miles and the reaches maybe 1-2 miles. So I guess I'd call these short courses. But that certainly seems long enough to me to prove that a an equal boat taking advantage of wind shifts will beat one that doesn't. What I did notice in the last race series is that all of the 20-30 footers seemed to try and hold tacking to a minimum, and that seemed like a possibility to exploit wind shifts if I can learn how to feel and use them correctly. |
#9
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
"Richard" wrote in message
oups.com... On Oct 18, 1:33 am, "Capt. JG" wrote: "Richard" wrote in message ups.com... It looks like I'll be sailing in Catalina 27's and 250's for the next year. I've been reading a lot about: Tiny boat: Take every wind shift. Huge boat: Not always! With the time/distance lost in turning a large boat this may not be best. So what would be the general rule for 25-27 footers? What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or frequency or wind shift arc to tack? Not sure what you're asking. This size boat can be quite stable and enjoyable in up to about 25 kts wind, assuming you reef as appropriate. I sailed a Catalina 27 for years on the SF bay in condition such as this with no problem. If you're unfamiliar with sailing in these conditions, take some lessons. Where are you sailing? -- "j" ganz I'm asking the question that Jeff answered. (oversimplified example Dingy sailors tack on every header. At some point, in larger boats, is there a point of diminishing returns, where it would NOT be best to tack on every header?? I joined the Navy Yacht Club in San Diego, CA. They have Catalina 27's and 250's. I just qualified, in the 27's/250's, so will be sailing both until next spring to see the differences, and get experience. Ah... Jeff's smarter than I am. :-) -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
#10
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Tacking on Headers (Newbie Question)
What rules/guidelines do I use to learn properly the best way or
frequency or wind shift arc to tack? How big is the wind shift? How long is it going to stay shifted? Another factor to consider is the speed of the boat. Very fast boats like catamarans or iceboats will benefit much less from tacking in phase with minor wind shifts than slow boats. Since you're talking about 25~27' keelboats, you will certainly want to be attentive to windshifts and tack on many of them. jeff wrote: It depends entirely on how much you like to tack! Actually that is a very good answer... supposing that when one "likes" tacking that one gets good at it, and minimizes loss of progress. However you should also keep Ol' Thom's words in mind... the rudder is a brake! ..... If you're racing you would want to take advantage of every real shift, perhaps tacking every few minutes. ..... A properly executed tack has very little loss; if you have to explain which way to wrap the winch it might not be worth it. ah the benefits of regular crew! I often sailed my Nonsuch 30 like it was a dinghy, tacking on every shift, and often beating faster boats upwind because it was easy to sail efficiently. I tack my catamaran much less frequently, and generally power rather than tack out of a harbor. FWIW, if you're going a distance upwind and you're always on the wrong side of 5 degree headers, you could end up sailing 15% further. If, however, you just ignore the 5 degree shifts, you'll perhaps be giving up about 7-8%, or about 5 minutes on every hour. Or, you could just adopt the motto "Gentlemen don't sail to windward." Richard wrote: Thanks. That was helpful. The 12 different courses used by the club are mostly triangles, (using different channel buoys to make shorter/longer courses) and the total distances range from about 3 miles to about 5 miles, so the beats and runs are about .5-.75 miles and the reaches maybe 1-2 miles. So I guess I'd call these short courses. But that certainly seems long enough to me to prove that a an equal boat taking advantage of wind shifts will beat one that doesn't. True enough, but remember that all else is NEVER equal! The wind varies in velocity as well as direction, and boat that does not tack well and/or tacks her way into a series of lulls will lose far more ground than she gains. On a short course, the distance gained by tacking on minor shifts is miniscule because you'll have to tack again soon anyway. A bigger factor is clear air & "pressure" or velocity of the wind.... remember it's a RACE so sail fast, and the best way to do this is to have stronger wind than the other guys. Another example of how to be fooled into thinking you're winning by tacking on headers- if the boat is moving forward at speed thru the water X, and there is a lull, then the apparent wind shifts forward and the helmsman thinks he is sailing into a persistent header. So he tacks, only to find that he is NOT lifted on the opposite tack and cannot regain speed lost in the tack because of lull. Always beware of these "velocity headers," also remember Ol' Thom's advice and be gentle with the helm when bearing away on lulls & small headers. What I did notice in the last race series is that all of the 20-30 footers seemed to try and hold tacking to a minimum, and that seemed like a possibility to exploit wind shifts if I can learn how to feel and use them correctly. Yep. Relatively few sailors keep their boats "in phase" with the wind shifts for a variety of reasons... but it's also true that it can be a test of skill to capitalize on this. It is not a simple sport! Fresh Breezes- Doug King |
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