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Tips on flying scot sailing
Going Upwind
- Sail Balanced using the vang to be coming
“just slack at full pointing trim”
- Vang for Balance once hiking
- Skipper normally “plays” the Vang –
helpful tip to toss the tail across the boat into a position for
immediate adjustment out of the tack
- Trim the main as hard as needed to turn
the boat through a tack – Ease as much as needed to let the boat sail
perfectly balanced coming out of the tack (depending on crew movement
and weight)
- Jib Clew should trim to the middle of the
leeward seat as a rule of thumb – some sails require a tab of windward
sheeting.
More to come pcOut - 7/22/05
Sailing down wind from
mark one to mark three:
The Run
How often have you seen big gains made right
around the windward make because one boat gybed and others did not or
vise versa? Ask yourself these questions to join that crowd. What is
the favored tack shortly before the rounding? Is there new breeze up
wind on either side, say 20 –30 lengths away? How can I clear my air
immediately so that I can meet these possibilities? These are three big
reasons why someone would gybe on purpose. Remember that offset legs go
along way to help allow for time and thought in sorting this decision
out.
Why a masthead wind indicator
is worth it?
Have you ever come around the windward mark
in traffic and been in all disturbed breeze? If you did not sort out
the correct gybe to be on you best have one of these. Learn which is
the favored gybe which is when the indicator show the wind “by the lee”
or coming over the leeward stern quarter.
Why do some people seem to go
faster heeling to windward?
When the breeze is enough to allow the boat
to go dead down wind often the boat will sail helm free if the boat is
heeling to windward. The technique depends on the wind and wave
conditions but the key is to bring the helm to neutral more often than
not. A Flying Scot has a big main and with the spinnaker the boat is
better balanced however the center of effort of the mainsail is 6 –7
feet from the mast so when that point closes over the center of the boat
the tends to become easier to steer with weight.
Whenever a boat can be steered without the
rudder, it is safe to assume that the “helm” is slowing the boat down
less. In general, “most boats are pretty close in speed,” at least
that’s what Harry tells us! Technique and reduction of steering in
conjunction with being in fair, undisturbed air, is often the difference
that makes the difference when it comes to speed.
What about the board and the
boom vang? How much are these adjusted?
It is fast to “play” both. Flying Scots
have the shrouds behind the mast so whenever you can allow the boom to
ride up and allow the leech to open up and get perpendicular to the
breeze, it is something to think about. One way to monitor that is to
keep the top batten working. “By working” the key is to have it not too
open or not too closed. The situation is dynamic but that is what you
want to be thinking about. Practicing this exercise is highly
recommended. A lot of tactical achievement can disappear with over
thinking the small stuff.
The board is another interesting tool.
Flying Scots are STABLE with the board down. They are also fairly
lively with it up if there is enough breeze to surf or plane. Consider
using this concept in your practice. Remember no boat likes to steer
very well without the board down some. Finding that medium is a
function of the breeze.
Lastly, remember your lanes. Flying Scots
are a big wind shadow. Keep you lane clear and anticipate bad air.
Sail Fast, Sail Free and off the wind you
GO! ~PJP
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