Do most sailors really know how to sail?

[JumbleDuck]

I've sailed the big boat with a cruising chute on it's own occasionally. It pulls really nicely in clean air. Each to his own favourite methods. ?

I tend to do most of my downwind sailing under genoa alone. Nothing rubbing on rigging, no danger of vulgar gybes, all pleasantly civilised.

 

[Bobc]

But sailing well is not just about going faster.

A properly set rig will give the boat a better motion, it will balance the rudder, and will be kinder on the rig and sails.

 

[Wansworth]

I tend to do most of my downwind sailing under genoa alone. Nothing rubbing on rigging, no danger of vulgar gybes, all pleasantly civilised.

.I.they call that tortilla sailing here in Galicia......... motor out as there is no wind and return in the evening when there is just enough to only have to roll out the Genoa........I suppose you can juggle a tortilla and a glass of wine at the same time

 

[rotrax]

But sailing well is not just about going faster.

A properly set rig will give the boat a better motion, it will balance the rudder, and will be kinder on the rig and sails.

Dead right.

When our heavy fat old cruiser is balanced-or as balanced as my skills allow-the helm or auto pilot immediatly has an easier time.

For the inveterate " Tweakers "-go for it if it makes you feel good.

First Mate and I are more travelers by sailboat than pure sailors. After the last two seasons where we covered about 3,000 NM checking the log shows a great use of the engine-far more than we had hoped.

For a purist this might be a bad thing. For us it is OK, although more sailing would be appreciated if we can find the right conditions.

I am currently re-reading McMullens book " Down Channel " where he relates his many voyages, alone and with paid crew, and all of these voyages without an engine.

It would be nice to think First Mate and I could achieve such high standards of seamanship.

We shall carry on trying, with each passage being a new challenge and a learning curve.

 

[pyrojames]

Yes, if you can get from A to B by sailing then Yes

Good example, seems to me that most sailors only go from point A to point A but via the most convoluted of routes.

Good sailors know how to get from A to B, without breaking bits of themselves or bits of the boat. That, to me, is the essence of a good sailor. The speed at which you do it, is secondary.

 

[snowleopard]

Personally I loathe going dead down wind. Either you pole out the genoa or try goosewinging it. I'd rather do deep reaches and gybe a few times.

A common sentiment among monohull owners. I did a passage across Lyme Bay recently in a 29 ft mono with a F6 following. The motion was horrible. In my own boat there is of course no rolling and with my rig I can let the boom out 120° so with the jib held out to windward by the fore-boom I get full drive and no risk of a gybe. Can't think why others don't do the same

 

[Serin]

For the inveterate " Tweakers "-go for it if it makes you feel good.

Why, thank you! Good to have your imprimatur

 

[snowleopard]

Why?

Because those who set themselves up as the only ones who know how to sail deserve to have their bubbles pricked. I've been sailing for 57 years in everything from a sailboard to a 500 tonner and those who claim superiority irritate me.

Incidentally I have a cupboard of trophies and I'm a member of the Half Crown Club.

 

[Serin]

Because those who set themselves up as the only ones who know how to sail deserve to have their bubbles pricked. I've been sailing for 57 years in everything from a sailboard to a 500 tonner and those who claim superiority irritate me.

Hmmmm. Not sure about that. I've been sailing for round the same length of time as you. I have learned a lot and keep on learning. But I'm pretty sure Flaming knows more about sail trim andrigging setup to get the fastest possible performance out of a boat than I do. Learning is the stuff of life (and certainly of the sailing life) and if I can learn from him and from other real racers I'm happy to do so.

Certainly, Flaming would be welcome aboard my boat to give me some pointers any time - but I greatly fear that it is not the sort of boat that would hold much interest or scope for him....... I wouldn't swap her for anything, but I do like to practice those skills that I do possess and get her sailing as well as she's able.

 

[dslittle]

Good example, seems to me that most sailors only go from point A to point A but via the most convoluted of routes.

Good sailors know how to get from A to B, without breaking bits of themselves or bits of the boat. That, to me, is the essence of a good sailor. The speed at which you do it, is secondary.

+1. They is a world of difference (literally) between an afternoon around the cans in the Solent and a 24+ hour passage. I have done both and know which I prefer. Sail trim and tweaking at night with two onboard after a long time on board become less important than arriving a few hours later. It is all relative to the end game.

 

[jerrytug]

The closer I get to hull speed the less I tweak. At hull speed my only real must have is a balanced helm.

+1