On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 03:36:00 GMT, "John" wrote:

Is there a better group than this for sailing? The ones I found were pretty
dead.

Yesterday I went out to sail my 13' boat, for what might be about the last
day this year. It is pretty narrow with big sails (a Starwing) and the wind
was rather stronger than forecast, about 15-20. That is way too strong for
me, so I didn't use the jib. In hindsight I should have reefed the main,
but that takes too long.

Had real problems on jibes and tacks. On tacks the boat would just stall
out, and I had to wait for a wind shift to help me out. That never happens
with my jib up. Any tips, or is it just a problem with not using the jib.
The jibes were much worse. The boom swung around violently, and the boat
nearly capsized twice. Again, I have never had that problem; but I have
also never had an unreefed main out in wind like that. Any tips for this
one? (I mean, other than "Learn to sail")

Not be be a wiseass, but that is really the answer. Applying the mass
and inertia relationship through a turn with a wind powered vessel is
not something that is easily explained. Even big time racing sailors
screw this up from time to time. The key is that you don't have that
problem with the jib up. Think about it for a minute and you'll
understand why.

It's really all about keeping way on while making the tack. As to
violence of the boom swing, that is also experience, but the boom will
swing with some speed when coming about or changing tack in any real
wind. It's all about controlling that. Based on your explanation,
you probably had the boom hauled in tight and didn't let it out at all
to compensate for the increased wind strength.

Finally, when I was just trying to sail straight, I was pretty much hiked
out as far as I could go. What do you do in that situation with an even
stronger wind gust? Without the jib, I steer a bit into the wind; with the
jib all I can think to do it let the main out to shed wind. Is there
anything better?

Let out the boom a little to reduce your hiking angle.

And again, no offence meant here, but take some sailing lessons.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom