Wing on Wing, disconnecting the Whisker pole

[jgeissinger]

The OP apparently has a 30' Yankee. If the boat is going hull speed DDW wing on wing, he will gain absolutely nothing by the "tacking downwind" tactic. He won't gain much, if any, speed, and will travel a longer distance. In a true displacement boat, once you have reached hull speed, or close to it, the fastest way to the next mark is the shortest way to the next mark. But as to the specific question: Yes, release it at the mast first.

[L124C]

Originally Posted by speciald

First off all - "wing on wing" is a slow and unstable point of sail. Unless the wind is strong, you would better VMG on a deep reach.

We were in light air, but we went from a deep run, doing just over two knots (over ground), to Wing on Wing, doing just over 4. Why do I see racing boats using spinnakers in light air? Are they not maximizing sail area like I am Wing on Wing?

[jgeissinger]

If you have a Yankee 30 mkII, just for an example, your 150% genoa is 381 sq. ft., and a spinnaker is 778 sq. ft. Main and spin would have close to double the sail area of main and genoa.

[ste27]

Originally Posted by L124C

We were in light air, but we went from a deep run, doing just over two knots (over ground), to Wing on Wing, doing just over 4. Why do I see racing boats using spinnakers in light air? Are they not maximizing sail area like I am Wing on Wing?

Well, winged means you're a few degrees either side of DDW... slow! (unless it's blowing 20+)

You can also run DDW with a kite up, and yeah... basically the whole kite is on the weather side of the forestay so I guess it'd be "winged", but we don't do that in less than about 15, it's quicker to gybe through a series of deep reaches. Basically if you're winged out you're in full drag mode getting pushed by the wind rather than pulled (like every other point of sail). Sails are much more efficient operating in lift mode. However, assuming you don't have a spinnaker yeah winged might work best for you for getting downwind since it's very hard to keep a genoa drawing well on a really deep reach since the sheeting angles are all wrong at that point - can't really have the headsail sheeted to a point 20' off your beam. Never a simple answer is it?

Oh, and the goose dies

[L124C]

Originally Posted by jgeissinger

If you have a Yankee 30 mkII, just for an example, your 150% genoa is 381 sq. ft., and a spinnaker is 778 sq. ft. Main and spin would have close to double the sail area of main and genoa.

Obviously, the sail area ( and complexity) is greater with a kite, but the principle is the same. Maximizing the sail area on a downwind reach. Am I missing something?

[L124C]

Originally Posted by ste27

Oh, and the goose dies

Don't make me use the M word!
(inside joke for those who were not there (be thankful!)).