Sailing Catapult

Light winds: sailing upwind


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(Right)
Beating in light breezes, weight is kept well forward to lift the transoms clear of the water. (Paul at Carsington, September  2008)

 

 

(Below) In light winds at Carsington, the boats are slipping along smoothly, with Cliff (orange hulls) and Alastair (blue) watching the telltales and flag to respond quickly to shifts.

 catamarn racing in light winds1



Alastair demonstrates the strain of keeping a comfortable position well forward to do this, and Cliff has lain back on the trampoline, to see the indicators easily, with easy tiller control.

  (This carries the anxiety of a restricted view of other boats, but on this afternoon Cliff knew he was moving steadily ahead, so he could afford to relax)

In these conditions, Alastair has reduced his sheet purchase from 4:1 to 3:1, to speed the  response to wind shifts (keeping flow steady before changing direction.)

Running in light winds

   Running downwind, the downhaul and outhaul are released, and the is mast fully rotated. Some sailors pull up the daggerboards, and the wishboom can be "flipped" to let the sail further out (see photo below)

Light wind means weight well forward, and Nigel (right) illustrates the option of standing at the front beam to achieve this.

 A gentle breeze from aft can push on the helmsman as well as on the sail, and it is easy enough to keep an eye on indicators

It has its downsides---the tiller extension is less easy to control, and sudden puff or shift means a dive back down to a less vulnerable position.

(A Catapult fleet with the helms all standing  has a distinctive meerkat appearance across the water) 

catamaranracinglightrun
    
catamaran racing in light:Stuart







In drifting conditions at Rutland Water, Stuart takes this to extremes, and seems very happy and in control, although most sailors will want to keep some contact with the rudders!

He has "flipped" the wishboom, to allow the sail to be pushed further out