[Rhodes22-list] Sailing Backwards

[Bill Effros]

Bill,

Another great tacking technique is sailing backwards.

If you almost cross the wind, but don't quite make it, instead of 
reversing everything you've done, hold your ground as the wind starts to 
push you backwards.  Steer with the tiller to keep your bow pointed into 
the wind until you build some backward momentum.  Remember, everything 
on the tiller now works backwards, too -- a great mental challenge.  
When you've got some weigh on, sharply turn the tiller so that the bow 
is forced to cross the wind.  Then reset the sails, shift into forward, 
and sail off.

It's really neat, and you can hear people on other boats saying "how'd 
he do that?"

Practice in 10-15 kt. winds.  You need enough wind so you can be pushed 
backwards.

Bill Effros

William E. Wickman wrote:

>I was out on Ft. Loudon lake yesterday and it was wild.  Wind was blowing
>15-20 with gusts near 30.  I was furled to storm sized jib and just a small
>triangle for the main and still got slammed by the gusts.  I was amazed
>that the boat  heeled even while I was motoring back to my slip with no
>sails at all!
>
>I had trouble tacking in this wind so here is a question for the group.
>What is the best strategy for tacking in high winds when you are reefed to
>the max?  I know that you need good boat speed, but even then the boat just
>seemed to stall out.
>
>Bill W.
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