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Dave,
from the recent 'backing & filling' there seems to be some confusion
between 'backwinding' and "BACKWINDING".
True, "BACKWINDING" {capital "B"}, is a method of sailing backward, or
'ceasing forward motion'. Something useful to know, and should be
occasionally practiced.
However, the technique of not completely releasing the 'lazy sheet'
until the bow crosses the eye of the wind {'let the jib bring her
around'} is something that should be done 'as conditions require'. It is
a 'gentle technique' just as 'roll tacking' is. It actually makes for
smoother tacks, and also helps larger sails get through the foretriangle
area without 'hanging up'. BUT, like most things, "Timing is
everything". Have BOTH sheets uncleated and preferably, 'in hand'. You
have to watch the sails and have a 'feel' for your boat and how it's
moving to 'know' the release point. Then pull the 'active' sheet - BUT
NOT tight; about 3/4 letting the jib fill and 'cup', then trim it up -
gently as you come to your new heading.
I find that if I'm doing my part, this 'trick' is NOT needed in windy
conditions; just drop off a touch to build up headway before the tack,
then swing through. It is actually the 'light & fluky' wind conditions,
where I need all the momentum I can get, that it is the most useful. I
simply 'play' the lazy sheet, letting the jib come BACK toward a line
'drawn' between the center of the bow and the mast. The 'feedback' from
the hand holding the sheet, the hand on the tiller, and from your eyes,
tell you how it's going.
Although I can guide someone through the process, (I had a fellow P-19
sailor out with me for a 'end of season sail' two weeks ago; he had just
hauled his boat, he was 'crewing' and never used this method}, you have
to practice and develop the 'feel'.
Regards,
Ron Magen
s/v Quahog {P-19, #575}
>
>
> Subject: Re: Using the jib for tacking
> Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 23:04:29 EDT
> From: TillyLucy@aol.com
>
> While I think that backing the jib to bring the bow through the wind
> on a
> tack should be part of every sailor's "toolbox", I don't know that I
> would
> suggest doing it as a matter of routine. For best performance,
> carrying as
> much speed from the previous tack to the subsequent one is desired.
> This is
> especially true in lighter winds. Since the technique of backwinding a
> sail
> is also used to stop a boat or back one up it's unlikely to work to
> your
> advantage when you are trying to maintain headway.
>
> I would agree that in windy and/or choppy conditions, where turning a
> P-15
> into to the wind will bring it to an immediate stop, backing the jib
> is the
> tactic of choice. But when the wind is light and the water is flat, a
> smooth
> turn without backwinding should yield more satisfactory results.
>
>
> Dave Kautz
> P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
> Palo Alto, CA
>
>
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True, "BACKWINDING" {capital "B"}, is a method of sailing backward, or 'ceasing forward motion'. Something useful to know, and should be occasionally practiced.
However, the technique of not completely releasing the 'lazy sheet' until the bow crosses the eye of the wind {'let the jib bring her around'} is something that should be done 'as conditions require'. It is a 'gentle technique' just as 'roll tacking' is. It actually makes for smoother tacks, and also helps larger sails get through the foretriangle area without 'hanging up'. BUT, like most things, "Timing is everything". Have BOTH sheets uncleated and preferably, 'in hand'. You have to watch the sails and have a 'feel' for your boat and how it's moving to 'know' the release point. Then pull the 'active' sheet - BUT NOT tight; about 3/4 letting the jib fill and 'cup', then trim it up - gently as you come to your new heading.
I find that if I'm doing my part, this 'trick' is NOT needed in windy conditions; just drop off a touch to build up headway before the tack, then swing through. It is actually the 'light & fluky' wind conditions, where I need all the momentum I can get, that it is the most useful. I simply 'play' the lazy sheet, letting the jib come BACK toward a line 'drawn' between the center of the bow and the mast. The 'feedback' from the hand holding the sheet, the hand on the tiller, and from your eyes, tell you how it's going.
Although I can guide someone through the process, (I had a fellow P-19 sailor out with me for a 'end of season sail' two weeks ago; he had just hauled his boat, he was 'crewing' and never used this method}, you have to practice and develop the 'feel'.
Regards,
Ron Magen
s/v Quahog {P-19, #575}
Subject: Re: Using the jib for tacking Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 23:04:29 EDT From: TillyLucy@aol.com
While I think that backing the jib to bring the bow through the wind on a
tack should be part of every sailor's "toolbox", I don't know that I would
suggest doing it as a matter of routine. For best performance, carrying as
much speed from the previous tack to the subsequent one is desired. This is
especially true in lighter winds. Since the technique of backwinding a sail
is also used to stop a boat or back one up it's unlikely to work to your
advantage when you are trying to maintain headway.
I would agree that in windy and/or choppy conditions, where turning a P-15
into to the wind will bring it to an immediate stop, backing the jib is the
tactic of choice. But when the wind is light and the water is flat, a smooth
turn without backwinding should yield more satisfactory results.
Dave Kautz
P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
Palo Alto, CA
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