[Rhodes22-list] Sailing Technique Question

[Todd Zumach]

Since I have had my R22 for less than a year (in Northern WI that means less
than 3 months of sailing so far) I feel I am uniquely qualified to provide
input on this issue.  I HAVE THE EXACT SAME QUESTION!

On 7/7/06, Michael D. Weisner <mweisner at ebsmed.com> wrote:
>
> Mark,
>
> After sailing my R22 for 25 years, I still consider myself a basic (or
> novice) sailor.  I have never had any formal sailing training other than a
> boating safety course and Stan's "in-service" launch (so you guys who
> really
> know how to sail are welcome to correct me).  Time and patience rewards
> you
> with the knowledge that you will know how the R22 will respond to many
> conditions.  It is a very predictable and forgiving boat.
>
> While I have weathered much (and so has the boat), my wife and I still
> prefer the illusion that we have control over nature, particularly the
> wind
> and water.  We have sailed with the rail at the water but never really
> buried.  I feel safe by staying high on the opposite side, hiked out on a
> backstay or stern rail.  In an effort to maintain the feeling of control,
> I
> routinely have the tiller extension, the main sheet and the jib sheet
> either
> in hand or close by.  On our initial cruise with Stan, I observed him run
> the jib sheet from one winch to the other, across the cockpit, permitting
> him to cleat it on the high side.  While it makes navigating the cockpit a
> bit tougher, it gives me the feeling of safety that I needed.  I use it
> regularly.
>
> Maybe this is just what you need to keep the jib sheet "within reach" to
> handle those gusts.  If you already sail using this technique and do not
> feel comfortable with the gusts, then spilling a bit of wind may be a
> better
> solution.  Alternatively, you could increase your libation and you
> probably
> wouldn't be so aware of the gusts or the boat's response.
>
> Mike
> s/v Shanghai'd Summer '81
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <mputnam1 at aol.com>
>
>
> >A basic sailing technique question:
> >
> > When sailing in 15 knot winds with 20 knot gusts last Sunday (I was
> > sailing faily close to the wind), I found the boat heeled quite a bit on
> > the gusts.  I expected this given what I know about the R-22, but I
> wanted
> > to know if you all thought the best course of action was to:
> >
> > a) turn into the wind a little more when the gust hits and leave the jib
> > and main sheeted where they are;
> >
> > b) try and let out the main or jib a little when the gust hits, even
> > though there's not much time to react and the boat could be well-heeled
> > over by the time I am able to let out either sail; or
> >
> > c) sail with the main a little more let out than the jib to control
> > heeling before gusts ever hit.  This is what a sailing instructor
> recently
> > told me, but that seems a little odd to me.
> >
> > I know some of you love to bury the rail, but I'm not at that point yet
> > ... count me as someone who likes my boat to sail a little more towards
> > level.
> >
> > I learned how to sail on smaller craft like Lasers where I held the
> sheet
> > in my hand and when the gusts hit, I'd just let it out a little.  With
> the
> > jib sheet cleated on the R-22 and a little more out of reach, I'm not
> sure
> > what the best approach would be ...
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > - Mark P.
> >
> > P.S. Ed, I'll confess, I didn't check the archives on this.  I wanted to
> > get a quick email out while at work ... so please forgive me.
> > ________________________________________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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