Downwind on a 14

Matt you beat me to it. I just looked on HC Europe's website for the same info.

I about posted two days ago and thought "Aww, what's the point" (read; some people never learn).

My recreational sailing really does next to nothing to prove, or improve, any racing skills. It, on rare occasion, includes closehauled or downwind work. I bought a GPS (with VMG) with plans of "charting" our downwind angles on the 20 and never got around to it. Even with this information would have needed a compass on the boat. I know this is a common practice among mono racers, and not to sound boastful, but things happen A LOT FASTER ON A CAT. Best lessons I've ever learned have been at regattas not watching my telltales (or compass), but watching the guy/s in front of me.

People have been running these boats around cans for thirty years now. Doesn't take rocket science to figure it out, when it's already been done and proven by our predessesors on the race course. I'll take Mr. Bounds, Curry's, etc info as sailing gospel.

I'm really glad this forum and people like them are around to freely share their knowledge.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

John Wrote : I'm really glad this forum and people like them are around to freely share their knowledge.


Hello John,

I agree with you completely and that is why I joined this forum. My sailing experience goes back about 20 years, but it has been exclusively in mono-hulls. I am excited about sailing a cat because it will be a whole new experience.

My Wave has a 95' main and a 25' jib. The 120' total is close to the 130' Berman is talking about, so I do not really know if tacking downwind will be better or worse for me until I measure the difference for myself. There are apparently not all that many Waves running around with jibs and travelers, so I have not seen anyone on this forum discuss the best tactic downwind for my configuration.

I concede that the answer is in for the Hobie 14. Sail straight downwind.

Loren

When we race the Waves down in Des Moines, we go straight down wind on them too (no jib on the boats we're sailing)

Now if you had a jib, would you tack downwind or goosewing the sails and head straight for the mark? Either for the wave or the 14?

I would reach with the jib.

The Portsmouth ratings for the Hobie 14 and the Hobie Wave are not too far apart for winds in the 4-12 mph range. http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tab ... es06mh.htm

Hobie 14 90.1

Hobie Wave 92.8

Hobie 14 Turbo 85.1

Hobie Wave Turbo 87.5 estimate

The biggest difference will probably be when you start adding people to the boats. I would expect the Wave to begin to catch up with a heavier crew.
Anyway, they appear to be close enough for a good race. Has anyone sailed these two boats side by side?

Loren

The kids have in Des Moines, and the 14 is pretty much waaay faster.

yea i knew that i wasn't effective for a 14 to jibe downwind...i was really wondering more about weight distribution and if you play the main with the puffs or like ronco says "set it and forget it". thanks for all the tips though

_________________
Josh Benge
14 skip
16 skip
20 crew

I would refine that to "Set it and hope to hell you don't eat (censored) on the way down"
That would be a bit more accurate.

Very interesting!

Okay, here's my emperical rule(s) for sailing downhill on a 14 in ALL conditions:

1. Sail as deep and to the lee as much as possible.
2. Don't deviate at any time from #1.

Any questions?

Bob

_________________
Bob Curry
Master Unirig Sailor

Oooo...so that's all i have to do. It's all clear now. lol

_________________
Josh Benge
14 skip
16 skip
20 crew