To start the 2010 Season, here's a few lessons learned about today's 'Can Race' at Wivenhoe Sailing Club.
The spinnaker on the Topper Xenon is both a race winner and race looser. Depending on your level of experience it could go either way but I reckon if you can use it you should and there is no other way of getting experience than trying it out.
Today's race adventure started as we headed south down the Colne and I got the Barman to put the spinnaker up. Yes we had it rigged right for once and it went up really well. I now realise we were on a bit too much of a reach to control it and we overpowered. This is when the fun started and the Barman was hanging on the side of the boat with me thinking yikes where is the safety boat....
Can Race at Wivenhoe Sailing Club
At Wivenhoe SC, this means you have to go round every buoy on the course, and with today's wind we went up to Rat Island opposite Brightlingsea - a long course.
Lessons Learned for Spinnaker
- The Topper Xenon's spinnaker is huge so if the winds aren't light and you are not on a broad reach it is going to overpower you.
- Don't put it up if it is blowing F4-5 (just yet anyhow!).
- If you are starting to loose it, get over the side asap and on that centre board (easier for the crew!).
- If your crew goes in the water and you are left onboard try to..
- drop the spinnaker
- point to wind
- lower the centre board fully
- furl the jib
- haul in spinnaker
- haul in crew
- avoid ditching as it will be a nightmare righting it with the spinnaker in the water and the wind.
- Keep your eye on the more experienced crews to see what they are doing.
The wind speed above is average wind speed and represents an average of F4.
Thanks to the Barman for great work in the water today!
ReplyDelete:)
Sounds like you have the same question as us- to spinnaker or not to spinnaker- we've opted for the 'if the water is too cold and we don't want to get wet' scale. Whereby cold=no spinnaker and warm=go crazy. I don't know if you've stumbled on our site yet www.thexenon.org but I've decided to blog my way through this season to note down the things I may or may not have learnt! Here's a clip of me and my dad down a Bewl Water in kent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PzlEk0yfaU Happy sailing. I shall keep an eye on your progress and hope to learn a thing or two. If you could cover trapeze use before my next sail that would be cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and comments. I've got a trapeze system set-up but the gusty winds we get means it is difficult to get the opportunity to use it.
ReplyDeleteThat said I suspect towards the end of this season we might be feeling more confident.
I am told though keep your front leg straight.