Re: Dinghy sailing in bigger winds

Stephen Page wrote:
> Hey chaps/chapesses
> 
> My two sons sail/race Cadets and, being light (50kgs+23kgs) struggle
> badly in the bigger winds (f4+).  I don't have the expertise to guide
> them but I believe it is as much a matter of technique as weight.
> 
> So far I have (a) rake the mast back (b) de-power the sails with
> cunningham/outhaul/kicker (c) sit further back on a run, lifting the
> bow.
> 
> So what am I missing?  I seem to think that pointing up or bearing
> away when a gust comes has a bearing on this.  I also seem to think
> there are better techniques of easing the sails than just letting go.
> 
> What else can we do?
> 
> Is there a good book to read that will guide us through?  Is there a
> training video we can watch?
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give us.
> 
> Stephen Page
> 

There must be a good tuning guide for Cadets - perhaps in the
Class Association Magazine
They are not very complex boats, usually the mast is
pretty stiff, so the kicker doesn't have a huge flattening
effect on the sail - it would be good to have some flat
sails for obviously windy days.

In strong wind you need to sail the boat FLAT, the helm will
know when it's flat because the weather helm on the rudder
really drops off - there'll still be some pull, but the tiller
should be centred.  Adjust the toe straps so that you can really
get your weight out - it's hard on the legs but after a few weeks
they will be able to do more sit ups than their non sailing
classmates.
On the beat the helm squeezes the crew against the shroud to keep
the bow down - the flat front should be just clear of the water.
If there is big chop then ease back down the boat a little to
reduce the impacts.

Off the wind the Cadet is great at planing, throwing spray cleanly
sideways, but it must be FLAT.

On the runs and broad reaches, don't hold back on the kite - it's
little more than a handkerchief but it noticeably adds pull, and a
windy 3-sail reach in a Cadet - fab.

Robert
(70s Cadet Sailor)