Secret Smile
New member
Lighter winds sailing
I raced in the Baltic in light winds and was struggling when going to wind on a halberg rassey 342. Much debate in the bar after the first day suggested a number of reasons. We had been getting over the start line in the top 3 consistantly then just dropping bac k as if sailing in porridge.
First tip - scrub bottom (obvious and we did it - thanks to cooperative crew in the baltic)
Second tip - make sure your water tank is full. This went against everything I had previously thought - make your boat light in light conditions!!!! But I respected the advice because of who had given it. So we filled up - thus ensuring a balanced boat.
Third tip was - down track the main in lighter winds - so that it is no further up than half way.
We did all of these.
Next day in light winds - we came 2nd in the fleet (vast improvement - not surfe which tip was best - but combination of all three certainly improved our lot.
I guess your problem (if you are sailing on well set sails - check tell tails) is boat set up.
Back stay and halyard tension can all effect the drive of the boat too!
Hope this helps - I am no expert (or I would not have needed the tips)
Secret Smile
I raced in the Baltic in light winds and was struggling when going to wind on a halberg rassey 342. Much debate in the bar after the first day suggested a number of reasons. We had been getting over the start line in the top 3 consistantly then just dropping bac k as if sailing in porridge.
First tip - scrub bottom (obvious and we did it - thanks to cooperative crew in the baltic)
Second tip - make sure your water tank is full. This went against everything I had previously thought - make your boat light in light conditions!!!! But I respected the advice because of who had given it. So we filled up - thus ensuring a balanced boat.
Third tip was - down track the main in lighter winds - so that it is no further up than half way.
We did all of these.
Next day in light winds - we came 2nd in the fleet (vast improvement - not surfe which tip was best - but combination of all three certainly improved our lot.
I guess your problem (if you are sailing on well set sails - check tell tails) is boat set up.
Back stay and halyard tension can all effect the drive of the boat too!
Hope this helps - I am no expert (or I would not have needed the tips)
Secret Smile
