Sailing Catapult

Light winds: sailing upwind


Home Page

Sailing  
Catapult

Sailing Programme

Sailing Programme 2011

Results and Reports 2011

Rigging and
Tuning

 

 



(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 (sheeting in or out 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 of Stuart at Rutland 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 sailing
   (Left) Alastair shaves past the spit at Bala, dead downwind.

This forward position brings the transoms nicely out of the water, and the boat is slipping along.

The position is good for getting a feel of the speed of the boat, and can be held without moving about, which would shake the flow of the gentle breeze.

There is no view of the sail, and he does not have a vane on the forestay, so if the speed drops there is a delay looking up to the flag, and jolting about, to find the reason.

However the run of the little waves ahead gives a good idea of wind direction.

As with other light-wind sailing, getting into a familiar position in the boat allows picking up on the feel of the boat, and whether the speed feels right for the breeze.
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