Re: Dinghy sailing in bigger winds

On 28 Sep, 20:52, alast...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Alastair) wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:33:19 +0100, "Duncan Heenan"
>
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> <duncanhee...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> >"Stephen Page" <st...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> >news:1190959412.812271.309090@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >> 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?
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> >> 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
>
> >Has the main sail got reefing points in? If so reef.
> >If not talk to a sail maker and consider getting a reef put in. Not
> >expensive and very helpful in big wind.
>
> Ah, good. I'm glad someone else is as ignorant as me about good
> seaman****p.

You do both seem to have forgotten the basics of sail trimming.