| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| deswift |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 19:00:48
Hi, New member here. I've had my Stratos c/b for a few months, (sail number 303) and it's been a lot of fun so far.
But I'm stuck on reefing. I haven't needed to reef the main yet, but I should really know how to do this, just in case.
Also I'm sure the shrouds are not in the right position as the lowers are taught and I was under the impression that they shouldn't be, unltil the kicker is applied.
I'd also like to get a better idea of how to handle the boat when sailing high with the Spinnaker, (I'm always nervous of broaching and taking a bath). How do you de-power the spnkr in a controlled way?
Is anyone close enough to the Warsash or Hamble (Solent) to come for a sail and show me the ropes?
Thanks in advance
David
|
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| neilgbj |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 19:34:52
David
There are lots of comments on this .... I don't really adjust mine (4th hole lowers and 3rd shrouds i think) as the boat is very forgiving.....I don't know about adjustments for very light conditions but when it is really blowing I do move them down a hole which does seem to help but I would just leave them and enjoy the sailing !
Cheers
Neil
|
| deswift |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 11:12:08
Thanks for this. Any thoughts on the shoud positions?
There seems to be so many views. I'm certainly not inclined to move them every time I go sailing, depending on precise wind conditions!
At least, not yet.
D |
| neilgbj |
Posted - 19 Aug 2007 : 11:27:59
David
I'm not sure what others views are but I think the first thing is to make sure that you anticipate the gusts....you are obviously aware of the consequences of not responding as it is difficult ot recover once you begin to be overpowered and there is no way you can steer out of trouble. I tend to dump lots of main (which should help the bear away)and the spinnaker sheet (let it flog not just an ease as this will power up) and really work hard to flatten the boat. Sheeting in can sometimes (depending on how far you have gone) just knock you flat. I would be interested in any other views on this.
We have been sailing an ISO this year which is less forgiving and this has worked (although we have been swimming a lot)
Cheers
Neil (270)
|
| deswift |
Posted - 18 Aug 2007 : 22:03:49
Thanks Neil
Yes, I've got the basic technique down. I.e. upwind to power up and sail down on the gusts etc. But, what happens if you find yourself sailing a bit too high, with weather helm, so you can't bear-off - Then how do you de-power the spinnaker? Do you dump the sheet? Or sheet-on to flatten the sail and e-power that way?
David |
| neilgbj |
Posted - 17 Aug 2007 : 18:58:50
David
re the spinnaker.......power with an asymmetric is controlled by steering really. For hoists and drops you need to be in the hoist/drop zone which is effectively almost dead dwonwind so the spinnaker is blanketed by the main. Once hoisted and the helm/crew is ready you can begin to head up and fill the spinnaker. The sipnnaker should be constantly trimmed by just allowing the luff to curl and then sheeting in. In gusts bear away (the apparent wind will move forward as you power up) and trim as above. To drop go into the drop zone etc.....
Gybing is all about speed and steering through the gybe and developing your drill with your crew. In strong winds don't allow the boat to head up to soon as you will just go over. In essence to de power steer downwind and head up in the lulls........
I'm by no means an expert and have learnt from (wet) experience but hopefully this might help
There are Stratos owners on the South Coast (I'm east Coast unfortunately) possibly at Lymington
Good luck, its a great boat
Neil (270)
|
| deswift |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 21:55:45
Thanks Sayling, I'll print that out and give it a go on dry land. All the lines seem to be there.
By the way, ...
Practicing reefing was furthered hindered by the luff 'sticking' in the mast-track - which made it a real pain to hoist. This is caused by the luff rope shrinking over time, making the luff of the sail 'bunch up' or crinkle. For a very reasonlable fee, Hyde sails re-luffed the main with a new, thinner luff-wire (actually a mono-filament nylon) and re-stiched it and now if glides up the track really smoothly, with no effort. Worth noting!
David |
| Sayling |
Posted - 15 Aug 2007 : 20:32:42
Hi David
I posted a brief description a few months ago in this thread:
http://www.laserstratos.org.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=386
My sail number is 568 so your Stratos should be similar, and unlike the single line reefing shown in the current PDF rigging manual from Laser. Last time I sailed it, I had the main reefed by a couple of eyes and it made a big difference handling the boat in quite gusty conditions.
hope this helps.
Sayling
newly a Stratos c/b owner -- sail no. 568 - 'Ketchup' |
