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| Tacking, What did I do wrong? http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=49839 |
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| Author: | xanadu [ Sun Nov 17, 2013 2:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Tacking, What did I do wrong? |
Hello, today I took my 14 turbo out in 15 to 20mph winds and I was doing great but when I turned to tack, I let out the jib and had the mainsheets all the way out. As I turned into the wind,I instantly flipped over backwards into the cold water. I didn't panic (this was my first time to flip over) and righted it ok. When I started off again, I noticed a sheet line caught on the lowest sail batton. When I reached over to grab it, I instantly blew over backwards again. This time, the mast stuck about 2 feet into the lake bottom. A small boat came over and helped me pull it over. When I tried to start off again, I noticed I only had one rudder. The pin had fallen out of the other one. I just let it push me onto the shore and rocks, and pulled it back to the trailer on foot. Lots of scratches and a missing rudder pin is lucky for what I went through today. I noticed that I could only sail on a beam reach and could not tack at all. Was the wind too strong or was I just in the wrong place on the boat when I tried to tack? Any suggestions would help a lot. Thanks. |
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| Author: | mmiller [ Mon Nov 18, 2013 12:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tacking, What did I do wrong? |
You need the main sheet tight to tack. That forces the bows up into the wind. The jib can also be kept tight into the tack and then "back-winds" the bow across. You only release the main when the jib back winds. When you stalled by letting out the sheets, the wind drove you back and likely you were aft on the tramp and sunk the sterns. I've done that myself! |
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| Author: | sunvista [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tacking, What did I do wrong? |
I'm amazed by how many people sail without a split pin or ring ding at the bottom of the rudder pin. Gravity works both ways - right side up or upside down. |
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| Author: | xanadu [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 4:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tacking, What did I do wrong? |
Ok. that makes sense about the sails being in tighter. Thanks. I guess I'll have to wait until spring for more practice time. On the rudder pins, I had no idea until I looked at the one that was still there that they had a place for a pin on the bottom. I just made the mistake of thinking that the rudder cams being locked down held them in. When I fell backwards I must have kicked the tiller arm loose and then the pin freely fell out. I guess the best lessons are the ones that hurt the most. Thanks again. |
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| Author: | jclarkdawe [ Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Tacking, What did I do wrong? |
One thing that happens with a bad technique is it works sort of okay in lighter winds, but when you hit a big wind, things go wrong quickly. Tacking a cat is not like a monohull, especially if you're used to dinghies. You don't post where you are, but I'd look around for an experienced cat sailor to give you some advice after watching you sail. Also, watch some of the videos. You can get some idea of how to set up your boat from them. I will say, though, that capsizing can really accelerate the learning curve. Best of luck, Jim Clark-Dawe |
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