Decided to swing the other way....... (And see if I like it)

[peterb26]

After 30 odd years of being a mobo person, I have today signed up for some tuition to (hopefully) get me to Coastal Skipper level in the "rag'n'stick" brigade. No intentions yet to sell my mobo though.

I'm really looking forward to being able to castigate motorboaters for not giving way to me at all times - and I will be absolutely sure that I never hang up one of those funny upside down cones when I am motorsailing. My sailing friends reckon I already pretty much got the hang of being a yachtie......

Seriously though - after taking a few weeks to pick the RYA school to do the tuition, I am really looking forward to October when the courses start. The sailing school say that the main thing I will find difficult is sail-trimming and that apparently is a life-time skill.

Question for all on here.........

Will I enjoy it?? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Vara]

Course you will.

Load of old cobblers spoken about sail trimming, for your average bod it's a piece of pudding.

If its flapping pull it in till it stops. If it its not flapping let it out till it does and then pull it in a tad. If neither of these work swing boat through 45° and try again.

Most sailing types spend hours on sail trim for very little gain, when what they should have done is scrubbed bottom (of the boat) and left ashore all the heavy crap they've accumulated in lockers various, same result for lots less effort.

 

[peterb26]

FOMCL!

Thanks for that Colmce.

 

[jb2006]

I hope you like it - if you can get used to going that slowly...

I am sure perfect sailtrim is a lifetime skill - but given telltales and decent tuition anyone can make a fair job of it.

Our new boat has so many new ropes to play with, it's a bit like starting from scratch but we'll get there (or thereabouts).

 

[peterb26]

Now I'm retired and have limitless free time, the speed is almost irrelevant. (And we often run our mobo at not much more than sailing speed these days as its quieter, cheaper and less stressful).

Yes - I often look at all the ropes on some of these yachts that are rigged with everything running back to the cockpit and think "It must be really easy to get the wrong one?"....

 

[jb2006]

Labels are good !

But do I need more backstay or less backstay - do the cars go forward or back - should I come up the traveller and ease the sheet - more vang or less vang - are my halyard tensions right for the draft position. All that stress for 0.1 kt. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Perhaps I should just give up racing - I often do better when I simplify it to mainsheet and jib sheets anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

It's all bollocks. If you spend ages worrying about mainsheet car position and cunningham tension you may alter from 6.5 knots to 6.85 knots.
Wow!

On the other hand relax in the corner of the cockpit and enjoy the chuckling of the wake and keep the sails inflated-looking and you'll be making enjoyable progress.

 

[Sgeir]

[ QUOTE ]
.. its quieter, cheaper and less stressful...

[/ QUOTE ]That, and more. Engines are wonderful things, but, jings, there's nothing like switching the things off. To just hear just the swish of the water round the hull, the wind in the rigging, the cry of the kittiwake, the breathing of the dolphins and porpoises, the alarm on the DSC prior to the obsolete warning about foot and mouth disease....

 

[CPD]

[ QUOTE ]
there's nothing like switching the things off.

[/ QUOTE ]

.......... and thats exactly what does it for me, every time. That moment when you switch the thumper off, and off you go.

 

[Kawasaki]

Retired is it?
Getting involved with Flappy Brigade is it?
Down Hill from here on in I reckons.
Pipe and Slippers or what?

Yer Doomed Man Yer Doomed.

colmce, jb2006, Sgeir, CentaurPipedream (see I told yer Pipes) and We all know Lakey is a Closet Mobower.

Don't let em suck You in.
Power gives way to Sail.
Borrocks, they are all Jealous cos we Rule the Waves (and make plenty too) I think You need some Therapy.
Go and lie down and think about it! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif


Snap out of it Man /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
It must be really easy to get the wrong one?"....



[/ QUOTE ]

It is.

 

[[2574]]

I've gone from power (Targa 39) to Sail (Nauticat 39) and I wouldn't go back. As for trimming ~ I very strongly recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yachting-Monthly...9018&sr=8-1

it's been a real help for me to get to grips with the subject and explain what's going on aerodynamically.

Have fun!

Rob

 

[peterb26]

B*gger - I forgot you read this section Kawasaki!!
(Creeps away with head hung low..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

And thanks to everyone else for their thoughts as well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
I forgot you read this section Kawasaki!!
(Creeps away with head hung low..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

[/ QUOTE ]

Ignore every word he says, I have it on very good authority that he harbours secret urges to find out what a main sheet does and how to tension his spreaders. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Also, I completely agree with Col and Lakey. Hoist the canvas then sit back and relax, of course keeping an eye out for motor boats so as not to get in their way. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

Ey! keep yer nose out.
Smillen lines
and Fawcett knotting.
There yer go yer proper Sailors (and Malthouse!)
Look those up in yer Almanacs.
Off to the pool now.
For to swim and play with with model boat.( laccy band powered) might tension Me spreaders, if I do a bit in the Gym too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tome]

As others have said, it's magic when you stop the engine and enjoy the quiet of a good sail.

Disagree with those that say sail trim doesn't matter - it can make a big difference to speed and more importantly it feels good when you've set her up just right and see your speed increase by 0.5 knot or more. It isn't difficult to get the basics right, but getting the best out of a boat takes experience and is immensely satisfying

 

[peterb26]

Having read all of this thread again, I now wish it started in September and not October.........

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Disagree with those that say sail trim doesn't matter - it can make a big difference to speed and more importantly it feels good when you've set her up just right and see your speed increase by 0.5 knot or more. It isn't difficult to get the basics right, but getting the best out of a boat takes experience and is immensely satisfying

[/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't expect you to say any different /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
But whilst I applaud your right to disagree, it is a matter of personal taste. I've not come from a racing background and don't get excited about the ultimate set of a sail.

 

[beancounter]

LS,

on the other hand, over a passage of a few hours, an extra 0.5 knot might give you an extra hour in the bar... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[flaming]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Disagree with those that say sail trim doesn't matter - it can make a big difference to speed and more importantly it feels good when you've set her up just right and see your speed increase by 0.5 knot or more. It isn't difficult to get the basics right, but getting the best out of a boat takes experience and is immensely satisfying

[/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't expect you to say any different /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
But whilst I applaud your right to disagree, it is a matter of personal taste. I've not come from a racing background and don't get excited about the ultimate set of a sail.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not about the ultimate set of a sail, it's about the feel of a boat..
A boat sailing to her maximum potential just feels right, it's very difficult to explain, but every boat has a sweet spot, just some are more noticeable than others.
Each to their own, but I for one find it very difficult to sit still on a boat that i can feel is not sailing to it's potential, I have to start tweaking stuff. And the more I sail, and the more I tweak the more often I'm right first time in what was wrong with the trim.