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Post by New Boy on Apr 28, 2013 9:42:57 GMT
Hi We are very lucky to have such a friendly and helpful bunch of people who sail Moths. I was thinking it would be really nice if you could put your top tips on how you go fast in your boats here. For example your up wind sailing tips or maybe a rig tweak that works for you. Clearly we have some very fast members but I would also like to hear from everyone else in the fleet as to what you feel works in your boat. So that this does not become full of people discussing each tip which clearly will be a good thing to do, I have started another thread titled tip discussions. Please place your tips below. New Boy
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Post by RUM PIE on Apr 28, 2013 19:27:45 GMT
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Post by MothHombre on Apr 29, 2013 21:03:40 GMT
My tip would be to make sure everything works properly. Sounds obvious but its surprising how many boats that have a downhaul that doesn't work or an outhaul that gets jammed. I was guilty of it when I sailed in the Frampton Open. I had only just put the boat back together and it transpired that the controls barely worked. The sail didn't enjoy it and so the boat didn't move very quickly! I tweaked them before I sailed a week later and the boat was back to its best. So if it doesn't work - don't keep putting it off - fix it!
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Post by RUM PIE on Apr 30, 2013 19:20:22 GMT
Tuesday,s Tip....
An oldie but a goody...
Its blowing a good Force 5 ... and gusty with it ,and you are on an absolute blinding reach,spray everywhere and the gybe wing mark is getting closer and closer...Wilder is doing his knitting,Davison is heading for the wrong mark...no one is telling him, C Hall is hoping his latest stilleto Centreboard will hold up, Cooper is finding it difficult to light-up and Robbie is being Robbie ...quiet but watching the old farts make a mess of the ever closer gybe.The gust is not relenting its full on stuff.....and then its on to the next reach. ....Pause...A question that is often asked is "how much board should I have down!"
Answer....tomorrow !
Frampton S*** or Bust Club[usually bust !] Frampton Moths 2013 Motto ...."Eat more Pies !" [Specked Hen,Liver and Bacon Pie recipe on request]
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Post by RUM PIE on May 2, 2013 19:47:35 GMT
....How much board to have down when you are approaching the gybe mark on a screaming reach ? ... Just about enough to stand on ! Which is about right come to think of it. Gybing at full speed is not for the faint hearted but it is THE way to do it. There is less pressure/load on the sail making it easier to slam the boom over and scurry off on the next reach.
Try it sometime and for maximum effect make sure you are overlapping someone ....call for room and scream loudly before,during and after the gybe If you make it you will undoubtedly gain at least 5 or 6 boat lengths maybe more...and will ensure that the helm you have just passed will give you room for life ! You will now be entitled to wear a Heavy Metal Band Tee-shirt, with or without Beer stains. If you dont make it ...at least you will have enough board to stand on. Rock ON...Gybe ON
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Post by jonathantwite on May 2, 2013 20:02:47 GMT
If you have too much down, the boat can trip over it when turning and fall over. If you don't have enough, you will 'skid' sideways after gybing and not go forwards. I aim for 1/3 to 1/2 down - more down if I need control to dodge other boats / the shore (see capsizes at MWYC...), less down if I want to survive and don't care about the rally-car effect...
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Post by jonathantwite on May 2, 2013 20:13:01 GMT
My top tip. Pull your lowers on as tight as you have them when sailing. Now measure your mast bend with the main halyard and check that it isn't inverted (i.e. the centre of the mast should not be bowed aft-wards. Dead straight or bowing fore-wards is ok)
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Post by New Boy on May 13, 2013 21:33:28 GMT
New Boys tip.
Dont get into tacking and luffing battles early in a race. Find some space and work on boat speed for the 1st couple of laps.
New Boy
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Post by RUM PIE on May 20, 2013 19:16:30 GMT
Lowers ....the myth or simplicity itself.... Lowers advice will undoubtedly vary. No 1 in my book they need to have a good mechanical advantage and be adjustable easily from the normal sailing position.The pull on and leave systems located at the front of the mast are fine [for say a more flexible mast] but you will get more out of the rig if they are adjustable for the more medium to stiffer sections or if say a prodder is used. Upwind let them off ...how much depends on your rig and sail and how YOU sail. Off wind...beam reaching to running pull them on hard to hold the mast firmly ,main intent being to prevent it from bending off sideways midway between the foot and hounds/at the gooseneck.Some think that the mast should be held straight but this all depends on the sail. Try to "lock up" the mast and hold it "in column" ideally perhaps straight. The above works for Alloy Masts and ultra stiff Carbon Masts. If you have a Carbon Mast more or less the same applies but with subtle differences depending how the top section of the mast has been designed or desrired to work. The much discussed and to some degree desired "gust response"is the aim of most to make the rig perhaps easier to handle and the boat as a result easier to sail. IF you have an adjustable Forestay that brings in another element of adjustment that can counter the Lowers effect. unless you adjust both ...Oh dear what a complicated little rig.
So whether you are a techy or not having lowers [adjustabel or not] is better than not having them...perhaps less so sailing on very restricted waters ...small rivers etc.
RW
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polyfiller
Mothist
14 x winner of the annoying git on the water award.
Posts: 126
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Post by polyfiller on Jun 3, 2013 23:13:43 GMT
Roger....only just seen your post on 30th April ......hilarious ....and your reply to the question you post is spot on.......it might also be worth mentioning the "S" gybe technique ....IIRC Goffo documented it very well somewhere. I can post up a summary in here when I have more time.
FWIW my top tip is .....always have a plan ....remember, the Russians don't take a dump without a plan :-)
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Post by rupert on Jun 4, 2013 20:56:20 GMT
My top tip following the weekend at WSC - try and have a different sail number to the boat next to you, especially if both boats are baby blue, if you want to ensure that the race officer will get the right results! Alternatively, make sure one of you is wearing a bright orange shirt, and whatever you do, don't swap shirts, footballer style...
And another one - don't miss the 90 degree wind shift! No names, no pack drill.
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Post by RUM PIE on Jun 10, 2013 19:08:08 GMT
This weeks tip..... Wear Wellies [Pssst have you seen the pair advertised on the BMBA Forum ?]
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