can someone review for a newbie how you tack in heavier weather? I was soloing a H-16 last weekend in 15-20mph winds steady and had a hard time bringing her around about half the time. Part of the problem was huge waves hitting the hulls as I turned to weather, sending the bows back, but I think I'm missing something fundamental here (or mental)
Thanks

--
eddiecat

Nacra 5.0 (destroyed in storm)
Hobie 16 (restored)
Nacra 5.5- amalgam "Franken Cat"
--

there are many steps and factors.

well practice, practice... practice.

the waves probably were a big factor.

a few keys are:
Make sure you have some speed before you start your tack

smoothly move the tiller, the more force the more drag (slow)

get back on the h16 to lift the bows up and out of the water... so they can move easier

backwind the jib in until you are out of the tack(keep it a secure a little extra long)

the main should be kept tight until out of the tack and then relax it a little while you reset the jib.

Thanks Andrew-yes I think it was a combination of factors, the waves slamming into the bows esp. but I think I put the helm over too quickly also, and did not allow enuf jib backwind, wt. distribution (etc etc)
I'm still not going back to monohull....


--
eddiecat

Nacra 5.0 (destroyed in storm)
Hobie 16 (restored)
Nacra 5.5- amalgam "Franken Cat"
--

If you are sailing without a jib, you have to make sure that you let out more main traveller and sheet.

and when you do blow a tack and are head to wind, learn how to back out of it on the tack you want

ie the bows didn't come around enough, the bridal tell tales are streaming straight back and you appear to be stopped, but are actually drifting slowly backwards

then with boom slack, traveller and mainsheet released, push the boom and the tiller the way you want to go

the back of the sail will catch the wind and speed your movement backwards where the rudders will now be acting in reverse and the boat will back onto the wanted tack

when fully backed round straighten the rudders and when the boat and then slowly bring in the traveller and then the mainsheet

and away you go

The main should be pulled tight before the tack begins. Just before the tiller is used to start the turn. I seldom if ever have problems tacking using that step. But when irons happen, the reversed rudder technique does the trick very nicely.

If you can get through the tack clean, it will be faster than if you backwind the jib. You can release the jib a little early and wait until the bows pass the wind before sheeting in on the other side you won't be putting on the brakes by backwinding.

Don't tighten your mainsheet too early as a tight main will tend to pull you back towards irons. Tighten the jib as you pass the wind to pull the bow away from the wind.

Backing out of a tack is a great technique. It definitely comes in handy in wave when I am out in the uni. No jib and less momentum (340 lb boat + 180 lb skipper) means tacks are a little more tricky.

Remember to keep the jib backwinded until the main crosses the central fore and aft axis of the boat. You may want to have your crew uncleat it but hold it manually in the backwind position, because if it jams in a stiff wind, you could get into trouble.