Downwind in a Nacra 20 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

Downwind in a Nacra 20

mcisternasb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jan 12, 2005

Last visit: Jun 13, 2011

Posts: 7
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 09:55 AM

Ive been sailing a Prindle 19 for years, and now I own a Nacra 20, but going downwind with spi, I capzised 4 times. Can anyone tell me how to do the downwind leg?
P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 10:10 AM

Sounds like you need to fall off. Try sailing deeper. The N20 is very stable downwind, even in big air. Where are you sailing?

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Philip
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mcisternasb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jan 12, 2005

Last visit: Jun 13, 2011

Posts: 7
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 10:13 AM

I live in chile. We have a large ocean coast (3000 milles), and lots of lakes.

Regards,

Marcelo
P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 10:30 AM

Marcelo,
You will love the 20. It is a great boat. You want to sail deep and sheet tension should be enough that the luff is just on the edge of breaking, or curling. It combines driving the boat deep and sheet tension on the spin. Don't oversheet the spin, if you get hit with a gust, drive down. Make sure to keep mainsheet tension on. This acts as the backstay for the mast and will prevent it from breaking.

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Philip
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mcisternasb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jan 12, 2005

Last visit: Jun 13, 2011

Posts: 7
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 11:31 AM

Thanks Philip. Your advise is highly appreciated.

MC
MN3

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Registered: Jun 20, 2006

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Posts: 7089
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 11:41 AM

i agree.. sail VERY deep until you get a feel for it. Make sure you have enough luff tension on the spin.... be warned everything is opposite with a spin... Head DOWN to depower.. sheeting out creates speed in most cases.

Try 5-8 mph wind to start. It took me a dozen times to get a feel for the spin.

Main downhaul is usefull and lift your dagger boards 1/2 way up... this helps sometimes
lawrencer2003

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 05, 2004

Last visit: Oct 19, 2015

Posts: 327
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 03:26 PM

So... I don't have a spinnaker but what do "sail deep" "head down" mean?
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

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Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 03:47 PM

Sorry Larry, only spin sailors are privy to those code words!
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 03:50 PM

Hehe, just teasing!...

Heading up means turn into the wind... head down (and sail deep) mean fall off... point more downwind.

This will decrease the power in your spinnaker (and will help you when your bows are 3 feet above the water)

edited by: andrewscott, Nov 04, 2008 - 03:50 PM
P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 03:57 PM

Same as bear away or falling off.
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~elfox/terms.html
Terms heard directed to crew in extreme conditions.
"Dump It, Dump it NOW" followed by "hang on no matter what" usually when overstanding the leeward mark or
"heat it up" when trying to fly a hull to reduce windward hull drag.

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Philip
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yellowhulls17

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jul 27, 2008

Last visit: Jul 25, 2010

Posts: 126
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 04:25 PM

What they said
P.M.

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jan 14, 2004

Last visit: Sep 25, 2024

Posts: 866
Posted: Nov 04, 2008 - 06:23 PM

Marcelo,
Send me a plane ticket and I will teach you everything you need to know.

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Philip
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