[Rhodes22-list] Tack With Your Jib

[Bill Effros]

Bill,

I saw Peter's replies and can't wait to try the things he suggests.  He 
is a far more experienced sailor than I.  But I have sailed an R-22 more 
than he.

Let me preface my remarks by noting that my wife is a self-described and 
proud-to-be "scaredy-pants".  She despises any time the boat "tips", and 
loves to sail on our R-22.  I always single hand, even when I have 1/2 
dozen people on board.  It's easier to do it than to explain to others.

You needed more jib.

I tack with my jib, and I never miss a tack.  (OK, I miss one or two a 
season when I'm not paying attention--but it's always my fault, and I 
always know that I did wrong.)

Most people simply release the jib too soon. 

Most of the heeling should be a function of the main sail.  You can let 
it out, or shorten it to reduce heeling.  In gusty conditions, set it 
out just far enough so that the boat doesn't heel when there is no 
gust.   Reef if need be.  Then set the jib so the boat doesn't heel when 
there is no gust.  The 175, which I love, will allow you to put out a 
lot of jib sail low.  It catches a lot of air without inducing heel.  
(By the way, I almost never lower the boom because I am more afraid of a 
low swinging boom than a broach.  I sail with my pop-top up almost all 
the time.)

To tack, turn into the wind without releasing the jib.  Even before the 
bow has crossed the wind, the jib may get pushed to the other side of 
the boat and fill with air, pulling the bow and the rest of the boat 
through the tack.  Later the boom will cross.  Straighten your tiller, 
then release the jib sheet, and set it on the other side.  At first this 
will be a bit sloppy until you get your timing right, resulting in a 
tack that succeeds, but noticeably slows down boat speed. 

When the wind reaches a certain velocity it becomes impossible to tack 
an R-22 (around 35kts).  Then the wind  is pushing against so much 
freeboard you can't make the bow cross the wind, no matter what you do 
short of turning on the motor, and you must jibe.  Best to practice 
jibing when the wind is substantially below 35kts.  With an IMF sail it 
is possible to jibe in high speed wind by pulling in the sail, and then 
pulling it back out again after the wind has crossed your stern.

I generally don't sail with my wife when the true wind speed exceeds 15 
kts.  It just makes her uncomfortable.

Bill Effros






William E. Wickman wrote:

>I was out on Ft. Loudon lake yesterday and it was wild.  Wind was blowing
>15-20 with gusts near 30.  I was furled to storm sized jib and just a small
>triangle for the main and still got slammed by the gusts.  I was amazed
>that the boat  heeled even while I was motoring back to my slip with no
>sails at all!
>
>I had trouble tacking in this wind so here is a question for the group.
>What is the best strategy for tacking in high winds when you are reefed to
>the max?  I know that you need good boat speed, but even then the boat just
>seemed to stall out.
>
>Bill W.
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