Jolene said..
Hey Shaggy, I not quite understanding why you cant safely gybe the boat by collecting up main sheet as you bring the stern through the wind, then ease out sheet to complete the gybe.
I know you said something about powering up the sail if you sheet it in. but in my case, sheeting in and bringing the leech into the wind de-powers the main. My boat is slow though with small sails I have not sailed on a pogo so could you elaborate a little more for me.
Cheers
Hi Joelene,
Yep, I know what you mean. I think the difference is the apparent wind is a lot further forward on the 12.50. With the main eased out, I'm depowered and almost luffing, less lift is being generated . As I sheet in, the air-flow over the back of the the main reattaches itself and we gain more lift, ie: speed up. If I exaggerate and sheet all the way in to near centreline, I can depower, but I'm stalling the sail, the angle of attack is now too great and gusts will heel the boat more.
This also lends itself of course to the issue when the main is sheeted in, a broach becomes more likely and more extreme. You know when you get the hint of a broach coming on you normally ease vang and mainsheet, this "point of no return" increases the more we sheet in. Having the main on as you enter a broach can make it get interesting real quick for the guy next to you! When the main is eased, it won't try to broach as easy as soon or as hard.
andy59 said..
Hey Shaggy I've been thinking about your mainsheet problem for a while and can't come up with any static solution besides a big ugly guard around the wheels to deflect the mainsheet.
I guess the best way to solve the problem is to have a process that you stick to for every gybe that involves assigning a person to ensure the mainsheet is clear on each and every gybe no matter what the wind strength and decide to granny when your not confident in the mainsheet hand
Hi Andy,
This pretty much sums it up, we work around it for now. We have the traveller guy keep an eye on it as we go through. Light to medium airs we just sheet in. I agree regards the guard, maybe a small say 3mm dyneema lashed to the side of the cockpit from the pedestal or summink.
Boty, I'm down the boat this morning to pull the wheel off, we're still aiming for sthc. I'll spend the next few nights on it, see if we can give it some structural integrity and then worry about the cosmetics if we have time.