Asymmetric Sailing Some secrets Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing

Asymmetric Sailing Some secrets Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club

Downwind speed? § What’s the fastest theoretical speed you can sail directly downwind? Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 2

Downwind speed? § Max theoretical speed straight down wind has to be wind speed – otherwise what is pushing you? § So - how do you go faster? Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 3

Polar Diagrams - 1 Typical RYA teaching diagram No go zone Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 4

Apparent Wind - 1 § Boat goes at 5 mph in 10 mph crosswind § Vector addition shows 11 mph wind at 27° away from true, 63° from bow § This means as you speed up you trim the sails as the wind moves forwards wind Apparent wind Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club boat Slide 5

Apparent Wind - 2 § Boat goes at wind speed 45° from downwind (say 10 mph) § Complex trig – (subtraction) shows wind is still in front of boat, 65 from the bow° § The apparent wind speed is now 7. 8 mph § You should bear away to go faster! Get wind across the beam Apparent wind bo at wind § Skiffs go much faster than the wind – even more pronounced effect Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 6

Apparent Wind - 3 § Boat goes near downwind at 5 mph after Genniker launch in 10 mph wind § Subtraction shows wind is behind the boat, near 180° from the bow, speed about 5 mph. § You should head up a long way to go faster. Get the wind across the beam Apparent wind bo at § This mode is beginners and launch/drop mode only Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 7

Polar Diagrams - 2 Real life with apparent wind angles for fast boats Boats actually sail with the apparent wind and that is what you set the sails against Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 8

Apparent Wind Diagram § We cannot go upwind § We can go downwind only at wind speed § Fastest point of sailing is “crosswind” Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club No go zone downwind Slide 9

Genniker Secret § Gennikers are not a downwind sail! § They don’t work upwind (flap and flog) § They don’t work downwind (collapse) § They only work crosswind § So only use them crosswind Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 10

Using Apparent wind § Remember the effect of speeding up is to move apparent wind forwards § Re-set course to take advantage of apparent wind as your speed changes § Bear off in gusts § Head up in lulls § Remember the effect of slowing down is to move apparent wind backwards § So, sheet all sails accordingly § Main is a big driver if used right § It will come automatically with practice – your brain does the sums! Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 11

Polar diagrams Inner lines. Slow boat at 10 mph wind Outer lines, Fast boat, 20 mph with and without asymmetric Genniker Left hand side, 18’ skiff with extreme angles Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 12

Essential tips § At all points of sailing, including course changing and mark rounding, consider; § § § Boat Trim Boat Balance Centreboard (does this apply to us? ) Sail setting Course made good (especially applies to us!) § The RYA Level 2 Five Essentials Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 13

Applied essentials § Boats not upright need rudder to correct the course – it’s a brake § All sails ought to be trimmed together § When moving fast – sails need to be pulled in further. When planing, main needs to be over the boat – not set as per Wayfarer or Enterprise § Limit turning speed to capability and trimming speed, don’t “fall off” § Max power is when boat is upright, crews leaning out fully Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 14

Downwind speed tips § Launch and recover Genniker whilst pointing nearly downwind, boat bolt upright § Head up, ideally until both crew are on sitting out fully § Hawk/burgee should be 90° to the boat at full speed § If less than 45° to centre-line you are far too deep § Play the Gennicker and the main, jib cleated § Crew tells helm when pressure on Genniker changes – more and less. Head up when less § On gusts bear away § On lulls head up to maintain speed Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 15

Gybing angles § Most boats it’s about 90° through the gybe (less when very windy) § Angle on RS 400 is when the buoy is seen behind the mainsail when the helm is sitting out § Apparent wind will then always be abeam (real wind is much further back) Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 16

Upwind Exercise – why? Check 5 Essentials § Boats flat § Sails right § Course Made Good - ~45° to wind § Check Tacks § Clean rounding § Roll if wind strength suitable § Sheeting in together on the up-roll § Get back upwind to start downwind work! Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 17

Upwind Exercise – how? § § Coach to gather boats by follow-my leader Two whistles – head upwind One whistle – tack Next whistle – tack, etc § Video attempted of each boat – check § § Angle of heel Rudder central Sail setting Course made good Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 18

Downwind Exercise – why? § Check 5 Essentials § § Boats flat Sails right Rudder near central – little force needed Course (Made Good) - ~45° to down-wind § Check Gybes § § Clean rounding Roll if wind strength suitable Sheeting in together on the up-roll Maintain planing § See how fast you can go! – that’s the racing line Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 19

Downwind Exercise – How? § § Coach to gather boats by follow-my leader Two whistles – head downwind One whistle – gybe Next whistle – gybe, etc § Video attempted of each boat – check § § Angle of heel? Rudder central? Sail setting Speed and course Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 20

Different speeds? § Up and Downwind exercises will be longer legs for the faster boats § Join in when boats “collect” you upwind or down to keep connected to the group § Stay together if feasible – you will learn less if totally isolated Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 21

Capsizing § If you capsize, we will probably continue the exercise and leave you once OK § Multiple Capsizes – go in and have a rest § All capsized – its probably too windy! Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 22

Genniker Launch § § § Communicate Bear off to Dead Run, Bolt upright Kicker off, rig tension on (400 – confirm Pole out, helm swings it then and not before) Hoist like crazy, long pulls, use legs, say when done Head up for power, both hike if at all possible Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 23

Genniker Recovery § Communicate! § Bear off to Dead Run, bolt upright, helm does all balancing with main sail § Long pull, use legs, fast as possible § Move around under control, don’t bang around and upset the balance § Crewe kicker back on, Outhaul on § Mark settings on rig and other controls Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 24

Streamlines § The back – leach of each sail should be parallel – including the mainsail Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 25

Hoist to Drop life cycle Drop Zone Power Zone Hoist Zone Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 26

Apparent Wind 4 wind at § This is why its colder upwind – there is more of it. § The angle is very slim between stalled and overpowered Apparent wind bo § Boat goes upwind at 45° from real wind (say 5 mph) § Complex trig – (really!) shows wind is further to the front of boat, 30° from the bow (moved by 15°) § The apparent wind speed is now 14 mph § Faster boats may plane towards the wind – but control is on a knife edge Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 27

Rudderless Sailing § Why? – because the rudder is a brake – the less its used, the better. § (how do you steer a bicycle – with no hands? ) § So how do we steer/go straight? § Adjust the sails § Adjust the heel of the boat § Adjust the crew position § Use sail controls § What advantages? – go faster, better control, better manoeuvring Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 28

Bearing away / Luffing up § Bearing away – windward mark § Mainsail let loose, jib kept in § Roll boat to windward § Luffing up – leeward mark § Roll boat to leeward § Pull mainsail in hard § Use the rudder to “follow” the boat Andy Howard Llandegfedd Sailing Club Slide 29

What to do with Gusts