[Rhodes22-list] Raven's Spinnaker - Sailing When It's Gusty
Roger Pihlaja
rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org
Mon, 9 Sep 2002 11:56:02 -0400
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Mark,
No doubt about it. That was a great shot.
The ripples on the water are aligned perpendicular to the direction of =
travel of the gust of wind. However, the wind gust is basically a =
little pocket of turbulence, so all the ripples aren't pointed in =
exactly the same direction. This slight amount of randomness can make =
discerning the average direction a little difficult for a beginner. =
With practice you will learn how to mentally "average" the pattern of =
ripples to estimate the direction of the puff. One way to practice this =
skill is to observe the pattern of ripples coming in, make your best =
guess as to the average; but, don't do anything on board the boat. =
Instead, let the puff hit you & observe the masthead wind indicator or =
sail tell tales. With this kind of instant feedback, you'll soon pick =
up this skill & be calling lifts & headers like a pro.
Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium =20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Mark Kaynor=20
To: rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org=20
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 10:31 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Raven's Spinnaker - Sailing When It's =
Gusty
Yeah. We were focused on "posing" the boat for the camera and weren't =
really paying attention to much else when the puff hit us. But I thought =
it made a great picture. Thanks for the suggestions and I'll start =
paying closer attention to the oncoming puffs. We're on a lake in the =
mountains and the wind tends to be pretty squirrely up here. I know to =
watch for the ripples to anticipate the gusts, but I've not gotten the =
"header or lift" prediction down yet.=20
Mark Kaynor
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Roger Pihlaja=20
To: rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org=20
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 9:29 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Raven's Spinnaker - Sailing When It's Gusty
Mark,
As long as the wind isn't so light that you are having trouble =
keeping the cruising spinnaker inflated, you should both stay on the =
windward side. However, in real light air, it helps to have one or more =
of the crew sit on the leeward side so the boat will heel a bit. A =
slight amount of heeling will allow the weight of the spinnaker's =
sailcloth & sheets to help keep the big headsail inflated & prevent it =
from slatting around. That way, when a puff of air comes your way, the =
spinnaker will already be fully inflated & ready to extract every =
possible foot-pound of kinetic energy from the wind. A collapsed =
spinnaker is almost useless.
FYI, if you are sitting on the windward side & the gusts of wind are =
still making you heel this much, then you should change your strategy =
slightly. You should be scanning the water out to windward looking for =
the telltale dark patches on the water, ripples on the water, or "cat's =
paws" moving toward you. These are usually the only visible signs that =
a puff of wind is coming your way. Very often, these puffs of wind will =
have a slightly different direction than the average breeze. With =
experience, you will learn to estimate whether the puff's wind direction =
will help or hinder your progress to windward by close inspection of the =
pattern of ripples on the water as it closes in on you. If the new wind =
direction is more on the bow than the average wind direction, then the =
puff will hinder you & it is called a "header". If the new wind =
direction is away from the bow, the puff will help you & it is called a =
"lift". You were close reaching in the photos. So, assuming you are =
trying to make optimium progress to windward:=20
If the puff is a header:
Just before the puff hits you, the helmsman bears off the wind =
(steers slightly to leeward). If the puff isn't too strong, then the =
boat will continue close reaching right thru the puff. After the puff =
passes by, the helmsman, returns to the original steering bearing as the =
wind resumes its average strength & direction. By making this slight =
course change, the maximum possible kinetic energy is extracted from =
this puff of wind & the boat maintains optimum windward progress.
If the puff is too strong to keep the boat on its feet (It's heeling =
too much), then the mainsail's traveller should be let out. (i.e. Let =
the traveller car slide from the midpoint on the track towards the =
leeward end) At the same time, the spinnaker sheet should be let out =
enough to keep the mainsail from being backwinded. After the puff has =
passed, the helmsman returns the boat to its original course & the =
mainsail & spinnaker sheets are trimmed in to suit.
If the puff is a lift:
Just before the puff hits you, the helmsman heads up (steers =
slightly to windward). If the puff isn't too strong, then the boat will =
continue close reaching right thru the puff. However, because of the =
course change, the boat is making much better progress to windward than =
would be possible given the average wind speed & direction (Lifts are =
"good" & Headers are "bad"). After the puff passes by and the boat =
starts to slow, the helmsman returns to the original course. Again, by =
making this slight course change, the maximum possible kinetic energy is =
extracted from the puff of wind.
If the puff is too strong to keep the boat upright, then you have a =
choice with a lift. You can either head up & let out the traveller & =
spinnaker sheet as before with a strong header. Or, you can maintain =
your original course & let out the traveller & spinnaker sheets. In =
this second option, when the lift hits you, the point of sail will =
change from a close reach to a beam reach or perhaps even a broad reach =
if the wind is really flucky. If the sails are pretrimmed for the new =
point of sail, the boat will instantly accelerate. (WARNING: HIGHLY =
ADDICTIVE!!!) Quite often, this is the better option in light air.
If you are just out sailing to no place in particular & want to =
exploit the puff to the maximum extent on a light air day:
The fastest point of sail with a spinnaker is a broad reach. =
(Apparent wind coming from behind at an angle over the transom) So, =
when you see the puff coming, the helmsman should bear off or head up as =
appropriate for the expected new wind direction. The sails should be =
trimmed for broad reaching just before the puff reaches you . Quite =
often, this technique will enable the boat to surf for several boat =
lengths even after the puff passes by. It's good to have ol Mo (the =
boat's momentum) on your side!
The key is to always have the boat on the proper heading with the =
sails pretrimmed before the puff gets to you. You want to sail in =
preactive, not reactive mode. =20
Spinnakers are really fun aren't they?
Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Mark,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>No doubt about it. That was a =
great=20
shot.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The ripples on the water are aligned =
perpendicular=20
to the direction of travel of the gust of wind. However, the wind =
gust is=20
basically a little pocket of turbulence, so all the ripples aren't =
pointed in=20
exactly the same direction. This slight amount of =
randomness can make=20
discerning the average direction a little difficult for a =
beginner. With=20
practice you will learn how to mentally "average" the pattern of =
ripples to=20
estimate the direction of the puff. One way to practice this =
skill is=20
to observe the pattern of ripples coming in, make your best guess as to =
the=20
average; but, don't do anything on board the boat. Instead, let =
the puff=20
hit you & observe the masthead wind indicator or sail tell =
tales. With=20
this kind of instant feedback, you'll soon pick up this skill &=20
be calling lifts & headers like a pro.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Roger Pihlaja</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>S/V Dynamic=20
Equilibrium </FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Dmark@kaynor.org href=3D"mailto:mark@kaynor.org">Mark =
Kaynor</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Drhodes22-list@rhodes22.org=20
=
href=3D"mailto:rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org">rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org</A>=
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, September 09, =
2002 10:31=20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Rhodes22-list] =
Raven's=20
Spinnaker - Sailing When It's Gusty</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Yeah. We were focused on "posing" the =
boat for=20
the camera and weren't really paying attention to much else when =
the puff=20
hit us. But I thought it made a great picture. Thanks for the =
suggestions and=20
I'll start paying closer attention to the oncoming puffs. We're on a =
lake in=20
the mountains and the wind tends to be pretty squirrely up here. I =
know to=20
watch for the ripples to anticipate the gusts, but I've not gotten the =
"header=20
or lift" prediction down yet. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Mark Kaynor</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Dcen09402@centurytel.net =
href=3D"mailto:cen09402@centurytel.net">Roger=20
Pihlaja</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Drhodes22-list@rhodes22.org=20
=
href=3D"mailto:rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org">rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org</A>=
=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, September 09, =
2002 9:29=20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Rhodes22-list] =
Raven's=20
Spinnaker - Sailing When It's Gusty</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Mark,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>As long as the wind isn't so light =
that you are=20
having trouble keeping the cruising spinnaker inflated, you should=20
both stay on the windward side. However, in real light =
air, it=20
helps to have one or more of the crew sit on the leeward side =
so the=20
boat will heel a bit. A slight amount of =
heeling will allow=20
the weight of the spinnaker's sailcloth & sheets to help=20
keep the big headsail inflated & prevent it from =
slatting=20
around. That way, when a puff of air comes your way, the =
spinnaker=20
will already be fully inflated & ready to extract every possible =
foot-pound of kinetic energy from the wind. A collapsed =
spinnaker is=20
almost useless.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>FYI, if you are sitting on the =
windward side=20
& the gusts of wind are still making you heel this much, then =
you should=20
change your strategy slightly. You should be scanning the =
water out to=20
windward looking for the telltale dark patches on the water, ripples =
on the=20
water, or "cat's paws" moving toward you. These are =
usually the=20
only visible signs that a puff of wind is coming your way. =
Very often,=20
these puffs of wind will have a slightly different direction than =
the=20
average breeze. With experience, you will learn to estimate =
whether=20
the puff's wind direction will help or hinder your progress to =
windward by=20
close inspection of the pattern of ripples on the water as it closes =
in on=20
you. If the new wind direction is more on the bow than the =
average=20
wind direction, then the puff will hinder you & it is called a=20
"header". If the new wind direction is away from the bow, the =
puff=20
will help you & it is called a "lift". You were close =
reaching in=20
the photos. So, assuming you are trying to make optimium =
progress to=20
windward: </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><STRONG>If the puff is a=20
header:</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Just before the puff hits you, the =
helmsman=20
bears off the wind (steers slightly to leeward). If the puff =
isn't too=20
strong, then the boat will continue close reaching right thru the=20
puff. After the puff passes by, the helmsman, returns to the =
original=20
steering bearing as the wind resumes its average strength &=20
direction. By making this slight course change, the maximum =
possible=20
kinetic energy is extracted from this puff of wind & the boat =
maintains=20
optimum windward progress.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>If the puff is too strong to keep =
the boat on=20
its feet (It's heeling too much), then the mainsail's traveller =
should be=20
let out. (i.e. Let the traveller car slide from the midpoint on the =
track=20
towards the leeward end) At the same time, the spinnaker =
sheet=20
should be let out enough to keep the mainsail from being =
backwinded. =20
After the puff has passed, the helmsman returns the boat to its =
original=20
course & the mainsail & spinnaker sheets are trimmed in to=20
suit.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><STRONG>If the puff is a=20
lift:</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Just before the puff hits you, the =
helmsman=20
heads up (steers slightly to windward). If the puff isn't too =
strong,=20
then the boat will continue close reaching right thru the =
puff. =20
However, because of the course change, the boat is making much =
better=20
progress to windward than would be possible given the average wind =
speed=20
& direction (Lifts are "good" & Headers are "bad"). =
After the=20
puff passes by and the boat starts to slow, the helmsman returns to =
the=20
original course. Again, by making this slight course change, =
the=20
maximum possible kinetic energy is extracted from the puff of=20
wind.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>If the puff is too strong to keep =
the boat=20
upright, then you have a choice with a lift. You can either =
head up=20
& let out the traveller & spinnaker sheet as before with a =
strong=20
header. Or, you can maintain your original course & let =
out the=20
traveller & spinnaker sheets. In this second option, when =
the lift=20
hits you, the point of sail will change from a close reach to a beam =
reach=20
or perhaps even a broad reach if the wind is really flucky. If =
the=20
sails are pretrimmed for the new point of sail, the boat will =
instantly=20
accelerate. (WARNING: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!) Quite often, this =
is the=20
better option in light air.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><STRONG>If you are just out sailing =
to no place=20
in particular & want to exploit the puff to =
the maximum extent=20
on a light air day:</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The fastest point of sail with a =
spinnaker is a=20
broad reach. (Apparent wind coming from behind at an angle over the=20
transom) So, when you see the puff coming, the helmsman should =
bear=20
off or head up as appropriate for the expected new wind =
direction. The=20
sails should be trimmed for broad reaching just before the puff =
reaches=20
you . Quite often, this technique will enable the boat to =
surf=20
for several boat lengths even after the puff passes by. It's =
good to=20
have ol Mo (the boat's momentum) on your side!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The key is to always have the boat =
on the=20
proper heading with the sails pretrimmed before the puff gets to =
you. =20
You want to sail in preactive, not reactive mode. =20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Spinnakers are really fun aren't=20
they?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Roger Pihlaja</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>S/V Dynamic=20
Equilibrium</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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