Recent content by fobos8

I don't see how this would reduce the chances of hourglass twists? The benefit of sneaking the guy is to separate the clews which greatly reduces the chances of a twist when you hoist.

many thanks guys for the replies. FYI the dinghy was a RS Feva. I'll have a read of the recommended literature. People I've spoken to about correct trim for beating say things like sheet in hard, get the vang on tight etc etc, whack the outhaul on. Thing is how do you know when you've...

Hi everyone I do the foredeck on a couple of boats, and I'm trying to improve my knowledge and skills at main and jib trim. I went out in a dinghy yesterday and had a blast. I just wanted to check on trim setting for beating. The conditions were around 10-13 knots, with tiny amount of chop...

You still do get wineglasses on quarter tonners, not sure exactly how and why it happens. I've never had it happen on bigger boats when the tack is at the pole prior to the hoist. It should only take a couple of seconds to get the tack to the pole end on quarter tonners. I think the best...

Hi guys I sail on two boats, a 44 ft classic where we launch the spi from the forehatch, and a quarter tonner where we launch from the bag on the guard rails. On the big boat we always get the tack of spi pulled out to the end of the pole (sneak the guy) before the hoist and have never had a...

All right guys I think I'll ditch the idea of chartering a 45 ft and find another charter company that has something sub 40ft. I'll be with the family on a relaxing holiday, and I just don't want the worry about coming in and out of port with something a lot bigger than I'm used too. ] I'm...

Thanks guys for all your help. I think I'll go for it. What can go wrong? I might do a day boat handling with one of the Solent schools before I go out just to get my eye in.

Hi guys I've chartered 3 times before, the yacht has been 38ft each time. There's me, the missus, and 2 teenage kids, all very keen sailers. We've always chartered from the same company, they're great, trustworthy and keep the boats in top condition. This year their small boats are all taken...

Rotating the pole is a really good idea, which I haven't tried yet. I will definitely give it a go next trip out. Many thanks, Andrew

Hi guys I sail on a quarter tonner, we use a symmetrical spi with sheets only (no guys). We use the pole with the jaws up. What the best technique to get the sheet out of the outboard end of the pole? I normally remove the inboard end of the pole from the mast, and then pull the cord on the...

Thanks for you input. Tightening the pole downhaul makes great sense. On our boat the downhaul is fixed on the deck mid way between the mast and the forestay so I'm sure how effectively it will keep the pole to the centre of the boat but ill give it a go. Thanks again Andrew

The meter boat have no guard rail or pull pit. The is nothing to stop a pole swinging off the boat if its on the leeward side and not fixed in place. A tight guy will do nothing to stop the pole swinging off the boat as there's no "stop" on the guy.

yes but.... For the gybe set the pole is on the leeward side of the forestay coming into the mark. The boat is heeled over and its choppy. What stops the pole from swinging to leeward and off the boat? The shackle on the guy/sheet won't stop of from doing that.

Hi guys I was watching this video in amazement at some of the foredeck skills. At 39:40 you see Stars and Stripes going into a Gybe set. When we do a gybe set on our 8-metre we put the pole up right after the Genoa has gybed and then hoist the spi. These guys gybe with the inboard end up of...

Great August charter sailing destinations? Hi guys End of August is when we take our main holiday as we have kids. We like to do a sailing yacht charter for a week. Are there any places left in the world that offer great sailing, which aren't crazy busy and not too expensive (is that too much...