dannybten23 wrote:
Hello,
I've been sailing my H16 for many years, but typically just leave my jib traveler in place all day. I've always just wanted to go fast and fly a hull, but now I'm looking at getting into racing, and want to get better at adjusting things to go faster towards a certain point.
Any advice?
is it inboard for upwind and outbord for downwind?
Do you adjust it every tack?
Are the telltales the best/only way to know if its set right?
do you adjust the traveler or the sheet first?
do you do the jib or main first?
Any and all help is appreciated.
Advice? Get Rick White's Catamaran Racing for the 90s. Read/sail/repeat.
Position? Generally in for upwind, out for broad reach, and in-between for in-between.
Adjust every tack? Depends on where you want to go.
Telltales? Yes....upper and lower jib tell tales should flow in unison and break at the same time when you luff or stall. Otherwise either jib clew connection, sheet, or traveler need adjusting. Assuming you're in the ball park on the first two, if the top telltale looks good but the bottom is luffing, then you need to travel in (top good + bottom stalled....travel out).
Traveler or sheet first? If you're sheeted hard, it will be very difficult for the traveler to move....so usually traveler first.
Main or jib first? Usually jib first (always after a tack to keep bow off wind). I get one close then the other, fine tune one then the other, double check and adjust as necessary for wind speed and direction.