[Rhodes22-list] Sailing Technique Question

[Todd Zumach]

OK, So I hit the send button by mistake. As I was saying...  We have had
some very gusty winds up here this summer and I have have been experimenting
with different settings and watching a couple of other more experienced
sailor sail my boat.  At this point, I have had good results with setting
the genoa to a smaller setting (75 to 100%), keep the main sail set larger
(but sometimes reefed in to about 75%), use the tiller to react to puffs of
wind and sail a little closer to the wind.  I had been using the mainsheet
to let out the sail, but it was too slow to react.  I am still experimenting
but plan to use this technique again tonight (I should be on the water in
about 30 minutes).  I will let you know how it turns out when I get back.

Capn Z

On 7/7/06, Todd Zumach <zoomerzx at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Since I have had my R22 for less than a year (in Northern WI that means
> less than 3 months of sailing so far) I feel I am uniquely qualified to
> provide input on this issue.  I HAVE THE EXACT SAME QUESTION!
>
>
> On 7/7/06, Michael D. Weisner <mweisner at ebsmed.com> wrote:
> >
> > Mark,
> >
> > After sailing my R22 for 25 years, I still consider myself a basic (or
> > novice) sailor.  I have never had any formal sailing training other than
> > a
> > boating safety course and Stan's "in-service" launch (so you guys who
> > really
> > know how to sail are welcome to correct me).  Time and patience rewards
> > you
> > with the knowledge that you will know how the R22 will respond to many
> > conditions.  It is a very predictable and forgiving boat.
> >
> > While I have weathered much (and so has the boat), my wife and I still
> > prefer the illusion that we have control over nature, particularly the
> > wind
> > and water.  We have sailed with the rail at the water but never really
> > buried.  I feel safe by staying high on the opposite side, hiked out on
> > a
> > backstay or stern rail.  In an effort to maintain the feeling of
> > control, I
> > routinely have the tiller extension, the main sheet and the jib sheet
> > either
> > in hand or close by.  On our initial cruise with Stan, I observed him
> > run
> > the jib sheet from one winch to the other, across the cockpit,
> > permitting
> > him to cleat it on the high side.  While it makes navigating the cockpit
> > a
> > bit tougher, it gives me the feeling of safety that I needed.  I use it
> > regularly.
> >
> > Maybe this is just what you need to keep the jib sheet "within reach" to
> > handle those gusts.  If you already sail using this technique and do not
> >
> > feel comfortable with the gusts, then spilling a bit of wind may be a
> > better
> > solution.  Alternatively, you could increase your libation and you
> > probably
> > wouldn't be so aware of the gusts or the boat's response.
> >
> > Mike
> > s/v Shanghai'd Summer '81
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <mputnam1 at aol.com>
> >
> >
> > >A basic sailing technique question:
> > >
> > > When sailing in 15 knot winds with 20 knot gusts last Sunday (I was
> > > sailing faily close to the wind), I found the boat heeled quite a bit
> > on
> > > the gusts.  I expected this given what I know about the R-22, but I
> > wanted
> > > to know if you all thought the best course of action was to:
> > >
> > > a) turn into the wind a little more when the gust hits and leave the
> > jib
> > > and main sheeted where they are;
> > >
> > > b) try and let out the main or jib a little when the gust hits, even
> > > though there's not much time to react and the boat could be
> > well-heeled
> > > over by the time I am able to let out either sail; or
> > >
> > > c) sail with the main a little more let out than the jib to control
> > > heeling before gusts ever hit.  This is what a sailing instructor
> > recently
> > > told me, but that seems a little odd to me.
> > >
> > > I know some of you love to bury the rail, but I'm not at that point
> > yet
> > > ... count me as someone who likes my boat to sail a little more
> > towards
> > > level.
> > >
> > > I learned how to sail on smaller craft like Lasers where I held the
> > sheet
> > > in my hand and when the gusts hit, I'd just let it out a little.  With
> > the
> > > jib sheet cleated on the R-22 and a little more out of reach, I'm not
> > sure
> > > what the best approach would be ...
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > >
> > > - Mark P.
> > >
> > > P.S. Ed, I'll confess, I didn't check the archives on this.  I wanted
> > to
> > > get a quick email out while at work ... so please forgive me.
> > >
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> > >
> >
> >
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>
>