Took the new main out for a test drive

[BubbleheadMd]

Yes, John it does help. I would say that I'm choosing my words badly AND I lack full understanding of what's happening.

I did drop the traveller but I have an old, small boat with a narrow stern and the traveller doesn't go very far so it's effectivness is a little limited. My boom is end-sheeted and the traveller is on the stern. It is not possible to relocate it to a wider point due to a step in the cockpit and the sliding cabin top. It's just a limitation that I'm learning to live with. It sounds like I should have had my vang tighter as well. I am still learning how to coordinate all of these tools into a smooth, cohesive system.

I'll make an effort to get my language right in the future.

Jeff-

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge of the local weather patterns. I know that this is vital to understanding what is happening to me out there.

I'm not saying that I did great out there, but I learned a lot and the boat was under control and did what I wanted once the jib was up.

[Jeff_H]

Bub,

It sounds like you are doing a great job taking your time to experiment and learn a step at a time. I still owe you a sail!

Jeff

[JohnRPollard]

Okay, I have a better understanding of the limitations with your sail controls now.

I remember that I previously suggested you centerline the traveller for the time being as you learned to sail. Here I was changing that suggestion now that your skills are increasing. In those gusty conditions, you might be wise to "pre-set" your traveller a notch or two lower than might normally be optimal for upwind work. Then you can work the mainsheet a bit more, leaving the traveller "as-is" for the most part (until you tack, of course).

Also, given the limitations of your traveller arrangement, you might favor a reef a bit earlier than if you had a really handy traveller.

Again, when trying to beat to weather, moderate feathering is usually your first, best approach. Feathering doesn't mean a huge, abrupt turn into the wind. It should be a gradual course change to windward of 5-15 degrees or so, depending on the strength of the gust, as the puff builds. You don't want to stuff it up too high and stall.

But when the gusts are as strong as they were yesterday, you will usually need to feather in combination with easing (via traveller and/or mainsheet) a bit.

Also try to anticipate the puffs/gusts as best you can by watching the water to windward. With practice, you should be able to predict their arrival to within a few seconds. This gives you the opportunity to feather up a bit ahead of the first knock, and to have your sheets ready for the ease.

[BubbleheadMd]

I appreciate that. I've been invited to crew for a Frostbite race on Sunday. I'm pretty excited about that.

[zz4gta]

bubble, I wouldn't worry about the traveler too much until you get rid of the pin stop car on it. It really needs to be a ball bearing car with lines to control it. With the pin stop car, by the time you get it adjusted, you'll need to adjust it again.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by BubbleheadMd

I appreciate that. I've been invited to crew for a Frostbite race on Sunday. I'm pretty excited about that.

Where are they having a frostbite race? And are they looking for more crew?

[bljones]

Bubbles, I gotta give you props for sharing your experiences. It makes for an enjoyable and envious read for those of us whose boats are still frozen to the hard, and I always learn something that i didn't know i didn't know.

[BubbleheadMd]

ZZ- agreed. I either center it, or set it for a range. I'm catching my breath financially.

Frostbite: Down in Solomons. I'm sorry to say, I think I took the last free spot. It's the final race of the season apparently.

BL- I sympathize. Our winter was bad enough. Yours is even longer.