Having sailed the 5.2 for over a year, now, I am getting a better feel for cats vs. monohulls. I feel pretty good about my upwind techniques and am getting better every outing with quick, efficient, tacks, and almost never get stuck in irons anymore. Downwind, though, I can use some pointers. Having never used a traveler until this boat, I have learned how to use it to de-power the main when beating in high winds, something I used to take care of by reefing my main on my old hunter. But, for the most part, I don't even think of the traveler when beating.
When on broad reaches, I am not sure what I should be doing with the traveler. I have noted that by easing the traveler out, I don't have to sheet the main out as much, which keeps the boom more stable, and makes my crew, if on the leeward hull, happier with fewer bumps and bruises. What is the traveler/mainsheet relationship in downwind sailing? Also, should I be able to read the telltales, even when going downwind? This seems to be a challenge and I am never sure if I am getting all the speed I can. I have a personal rule that if the main is touching the spreaders, (I have the older, straight spreaders), then I'm sheeted out too far, must sheet in some and not point as low. Any tips for a relative noob?
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Eric C
Force 5 project boat
Unnamed
Previous boat
1980 Nacra 5.2
"Double Vision"
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