Tack turning

Ok My 1st ride on my purchase dtoday 2000 hobie 18 with sx wings, out for my test drive in 40 to 60KPH winds, I was having real trouble making my turns, could it have been because my traveler was in to tight, I would get almost all the way around and then would just stall in the wind. After many different complicated thoughts we would get going it happened on all of our turns. I have sailed a 16 for many years but never in the wind of today. We did however when we got going fly accross the lake, it seemed as though the other side of the lake came very fast, as a matter of fact the jib sale ripped when we did a jibe turn to head down wind. Any way Some advice on that tack turn could be very helpful, the big winds are forecast to cntinue

Marty in Saskatchewan

try easing the traveler down a foot as you come through head to wind, that will allow the bows to come around. then bring it back in as she picks up speed.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

When it's really windy, the boat will want to weather vane when you try to tack. You want to have the traveler in as tight as you can in order to allow the bows to be brought head-to-wind. Stay sheeted in as tight as you can until you reach head to wind. Then dump the mainsheet. Timing is everything. The crew also needs to backwind the jib to bring the bows around, but be ready to pop the sheet free in an instant. Be ready to back the boat around by reversing the rudders if you blow the tack. Best to work on these techniques in lighter wind.

sm

SRM really said it all I just wanted to add that I find it easier to go on a little more of a reach right before tacking to build up speed. My Hobie 18 hates sailing close-hauled.

After that I sheet in the main like he said then tack and right when I tack I release the jib. Right after passing through the upwind point I start sheeting in the jib (helps you get through the tack) and easing the main...then when getting most of the way through the tack bringing the main in again.

Just make sure your crew know what to do and when cause this will all require split-second timing especially in the wind conditions you are talking about or you will get stuck mid-tack.

If you backwind the jib there is no way you will not turn, even with the main in hard. The quick jib work is only required when racing and there is more to it than popping it loose quickly. I sail my 18 with a self-tacking jib which requires driving the rudders constantly thru the turn, bringing the main in hard and easeing it out as I get head to wind. I also tend to roll tack when racing which changes it yet again.
More practice steering with your sails would be helpful for you, its hard to see what your doing wrong in heavy air.