first sail

Hi all,

This coming weekend I will take my new to me getaway out for an inaugural cruise. My prior experience is in 27-35' monohulls in the SFbay, while this will be at a local lake.

Anything of great significance I should be aware of in how they handle differently (other than that they can capsize!)?

Tricks to tacking in particular? Also slowing/stopping for return to dock/ramp?

Cheers,

nick

Tacking: keep the jib tight as is so that it back winds to help come across the wind.

I have a Torqeedo to help with coming and going.

Have a great sail

_________________
Jerry Malone

To a much greater extent than a mono ... Speed is Your Friend

There is no weight to carry you through a tack if your form is sloppy or your speed is down. Most mono guys (I used to be one) sail to high and too slow. Don't trim the sails too hard and close the leeches it will slow you down. The sails should twist off at the head. The light weight of the boat also helps getting off and on the beach or dock. Accelerates quickly getting off and stops quickly coming in.

If you are out in breeze and feel like you are gong to capsize the responses are: Upwind, ease main traveler and steer up. Downwind, turn down and trim up (stalls the main and slows the boat).

Sail the boat with good speed through tacks. Keep the sails sheeted until you are head to wind. The instant the main starts to come across ease the mainsheet a couple of feet. Stay on the the low side of the boat and leave the jib trimmed until it backwinds. Once you are positive you are through the wind, pop the jib across and trim it in to pull the bow down. Cross the boat after the jib is across. Do not sheet the main in until after you have headway and you are on a course below your normal tacking angle. As the boat accelerates back up to speed retrim the main. The point being that if you let the main fill as soon as you tack the boat will head up into irons and you are too slow to steer.

You will never (hardly ever) sail with the apparent wind behind the beam. Again ... Speed is Your Friend. For downwind bear off and accelerate until the apparent wind is off the beam. If/when you slow down the wind come aft and you have to head up to get your speed back. In most mono's the waves catch you, in decent breeze on a Hobie you will catching the waves. Head up to climb the back, then bear off and surf the front ... this is the most fun you can have in public with your clothes on.

Enjoy your sail ..!

_________________
Sail More. Tinker Less. Enjoy a Hobie Day.
-2013 H16 #1`13780
-2014 Getaway w/wings,spinnaker,& trapeze

thanks so much for your replies, esp regarding tacking strategies. can't wait to get out there.