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NickM
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Sep 2008 : 23:48:18
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I have just begun to race my Stratos keel in the Medway YC dinghy handicap fleet which has no other asymetric rigs. A particular problem in places like the Medway is when you have to run against a foul tide. The options seem to be either not using the genniker and hugging the shore, or suffer from being pushed out into the tide and back to the shore as you tack down wind. I have not worked out which is quicker. Anyone any thoughts/experience?
In general, should a Stratos genniker tacking down wind on open water beat e.g. a Wayfarer sailing a straight course to the leeward mark?
NickM
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neilgbj
147 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2008 : 19:17:16
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Nick
I think it depends on how much wind you have..........the Stratos is a bit of a bus and it needs some real wind to use the asymetric to gain extra speed to compensate for the extra distance....I think in light to medium stuff a Wayfarer sailing the direct route inshore will be faster.....might be best to stick with them and take them upwind ? In strong winds.......I would get the spinnaker up and enjoy the ride !
Not sure what others think..
Neil |
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deswift
122 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2008 : 20:40:08
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How true! We've find the same thing, in that our start finish line is usually inside the mouth of the river, where the tide can be 5 knts. It's crucial for us to stay out of an opposing tide, or we can end up going backwards in light winds.. literally!
To be honest, some weeks the course favours an asymmetric, others are suited to a direct downwind run. Unless there's some decent wind, it's difficult to make up ground on a dead downwind run. If the course has a good long reach, we get a real advantage, because the others find it too high for a symmetrical kite.
We do have a very mixed fleet and what I've found is that the rest of the guys with traditional spinnakers plop along on a dead run, looking totally bored - while we thrash about all over the place at top speed, flying the asymmetric... we all get to the mark the same time, but.. Which is more fun???
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Edited by - deswift on 03 Sep 2008 20:46:16 |
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Club Handicap racing
