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Topic: When to drop the kite |
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Tom Taylor |
Posted: 24-May-07 05:50 |
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I'm relatively new to the Buzz and I've been uncertain about using the kite in fairly light winds (6-8kn). The experienced fireball sailors in my club say I'm crazy to fly it when sailing fairly close as they say it'll only be pushing me sideways - on the other hand it seems to me that even on quite a close reach, its setting well, pulling and leeway doesnt seem so very bad (to me). Any advice on when to fly and when to drop would be much appreciated (and also how to judge the best downwind course in light winds). |
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Stu B |
Posted: 24-May-07 15:24 |
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Hi Tom,
Generally in light winds we furl the jib and run as deep as the kite allows, the main thing is to keep the kite full. If you sail high although you may go a bit faster it is not enough to make up for the extra distance you have to sail. As the wind comes up you can afford to go a bit higher to build speed and then keep this speed by sailing higher and lower as the wind strength and direction changes.
On the subject of how high to sail, the spinnaker will be working if full and not causing pressure on the rudder. If the spinnaker is taken over your steering, assuming you have the boat flat, then the spinnaker is either in to far or you are sailing higher than you should be with the kite.
I hope that helps.
Stuart.
Buzz 763. |
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Mark Wilson |
Posted: 24-May-07 16:22 |
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Hi
Stuart has nailed it there - however as with going upwind, it does come down to personnal preference and at open meetings you will see a variety of styles. Some furl jib and others don't (advantages of furling jib is it's one less thing to fuss about when gybeing, it makes it easier to see the spinnaker edge and therefore easier to ensure spinnaker is full, the jib is also not blocking the wnind filling the spinnaker), and some sail low and slow while others choose high and fast - its all about balancing boat speed with distance sailed (and tides come in to play too).
If you are sailing round cans (ie not doing a windward/leeward course) you may find some sections are short tight reaches and you don't want to be bothered dropping the kite. On these occasions we dump most of the main to make the mark but if the leg was long we would probably drop the kite.
Anyway one of the best ways to learn is to come to an open - no experience needed. Lots of experienced sailors to help with rigging, setting and on the water aspoects of your sailing.
I'm also going to start another thread to see if there is any interest in training - I am aware none is planned but I am sure some could be arranged if the demand was there.
Best wishes
Jane |
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Tom Taylor |
Posted: 27-May-07 05:58 |
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Thanks a lot for the advice - hopefully you've pointed us in the right direction. Recent club race reports probably depicted our need for this quite well .... "The Buzz sailed well gaining ground on the beats and reaches but found the run particularly difficult being overtaken......" "The Buzz was unable to maintain its earlier performance, still experimenting with various kite positions including under the boat"!
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dt |
Posted: 27-May-08 08:20 |
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Very interesting. We're biginning to understand some of this now.
Quick question. When you fix the kite to the pole at the bottom and the the mast at the top (sorry had a mental block on the correct terms), how critical is that length? Some boats seem to have the kite tied right onto the pole, whereas others have 25cm or so of extra slack. My kite qalso has a stopper knot to stop the "head?" going all the way up. Hope you can understabd what I'm asking LOL. |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 27-May-08 11:20 |
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Jane, HOW DARE YOU SAY
"I'm also going to start another thread to see if there is any interest in training - I am aware none is planned but I am sure some could be arranged if the demand was there."
Haven't you read the thread (Entitled: ISO, Buzz, Spice Training)?
http://www.isoracing.org.uk/cgi-bin/teemz/teemz.cgi?board=_master&act
ion=opentopic&topic=122&forum=Events__Fixtures
No wonder there are no Buzz's signed up to the training weekend - they can't read!
Pete
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dt |
Posted: 27-May-08 11:36 |
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That was May "07" Pete LOL
Did I confuse you by restarting an old thread? |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 27-May-08 16:03 |
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Ah!
Pillock me!!! Such a coincidence the dates being exactly a year on.
Apologies to all concerned! But anyway, Buzz people, there is a training weekend arranged and it is for you as well as the ISO and Spice sailors.
Pete |
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