[quote=Wolfman]Aw, that is a shame. It actually sounds like a couple of experiences I had when I first got my Nacra 5.2. Now you understand why the guys on here tend to be super finicky about safety and rechecking things. Simple problems on the shore turn into huge issues on the water. On top of that start off in the ocean isn't the most forgiving environment. Too bad about the toe, other than that you could have laughed all this off. I always wear shoes and either wetsuit bottoms or knickers that cover the knees. Grip is important and i am forever banging toes and knees. And never bring your expensive sunglasses or good hat! I buy mine by the carton full off of ebay for about $2 a pair. My wife managed to lose a $400 pair of bifocals after I warned her about that.
The tacking issues are normal, there is a definite technique, illustrated very nicely by Rick White in his videos. Basically you sit on the aft windward corner until the last second and then move across and to the front corner while allowing the jib to backwind slightly. Release the 2 ft of main sheet as you pass through the wind and the jib once you are though and you are good. Waiting until you are at least head to wind before you move is important because you want the boat to pivot mostly on that lee rudder and dagger. If you go to soon you will lose momentum and blow it, if you go too late the wind will catch your mainsail on the other side and you will have to run to keep it from dumping. Truthfully it isn't that complicated as that but those are the issues. Tacking is one of the hardest things to do on a cat. Like I said the Rick White videos are a little hokey but contain a lot of good info.
Having a good crew when learning is also important, but almost never seems to happen. I always give a canned speech ala Tommy Lee Jones in Firebirds before we go out. "In case we capsize, it will happen fast until that mast hits the water then it will go into slow motion. Try to slide under the boom or jump aft away from the sail . If you need to fall into the sail wait until the sail hits the water and fall flat onto it, not through. If you fall off, stay where you are, I will come back to get you. Etc Etc." After sailing for a few years I can handle all the controls myself but at that start having a good jib/daggerboard person is a must. Managing the helm and mainsheet is more than enough trouble for one person.
In the learning phase a wave may be a good option for you, but just be ready that you will probably want to get into something faster very quickly.[/quote]
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