well today it was anyway. 20 to 30mph winds on a rough lake with 4 ft swells. both sails up (no reef). had to sail high to the wind to keep right side up. couldnt tack at all and jibe worked all but one time and im not sure what happened. life sucks with that kind of wind and wave and a cat on its side. with difficulty, got the boat up. i just couldnt get enough speed to complete a tack. what is the best option to change direction in these conditions. i couldnt closehaul because the front would dig. i had to point very high with the traveller out about a foot and sheet out quite a bit.
Well in those types of winds its no fun with out a capsize or two. But the whole point in cat sailing is going at fast speeds in all winds and just plainly have a great time. Here is a suggestion if you are going to go out in those types of winds take some one who is heavy or take a third person out. I went out in 30not winds with a crew who didn't know what she was doing and I scared the hell out of her after i went air born of a 1 to 2 metre waves and then she wouldn't trapeze at all. Then ui turned around and found ot a hobie 14t and hobie 17 was catching me so i had to trapeze just to get some distance. But i loved it all the way and since it was so dam cold i didn't feel like fliping it over. I had to leave the race since my crew was cold and i wasn't to happy about it since i was going to meet up with the older sailors(about 20+years) on a hobie 20 for a sail since i was going to buy one. well last thing is just go out when ever you can and have fun no mater what the out come have fun.
From Julian
Tacking a 16 in high winds is truely an art form. Both the skipper and crew have to know what they are doing. Rick White's book, Catamaran Racing for the 90s, is a great resource, but do not totally apply the roll tack method to a 16; the crew has to stay a little forward than described in the book. The best way to learn is to come out to some of our Regattas, ask questions, and maybe go sail with some other 16 sailors. For TX Regatta info: www.catamaran.ws-home.asp. My crew and I have finally got to where we can "nail" every tack and accelerate to full speed. Most of our success is because my crew picked up some good instruction from an crew member at one of the Regattas.
Good Sailing,
David
I agree, a good crew is critical for tacking in high winds. You don't want to be screaming at your crew when you are trying to get a 16 across the wind in 4 foot plus chop. Practice, practice, & practice, and it will be second nature. My suggestions, let way out on your jib in order to fall fall far enough off wind to pick up speed going into your tack & not pitchpole in the process. Sheet it in as you are beginning to turn. Let it backwind to bring the bows around, and make sure you don't bring it across until you are around. But don't let it tip you over backwards either. In other words, a crew that knows his jib, and where his weight should be at all times.