I agree with Chuck on the 'Self tacking" I read about that somewhere and we've been doing it on the 2nd half of the racing season. Our technique is slightly different but it's the same idea:
1- You start tacking without releasing the genoa. It will 'Catch" on the opposite tack and spin the boat in a jiff. 2- As soon as the boat has turned about 25-30 degrees let the lazy sheet go and grab the new sheet / pull it in (by hand) as fast as you can. (Slowing down the turn with the wheel is a good idea, if you keep the wheel set for a tack the boat will "Over-tack") 3- If you do it right (It's all timing) you'll need about 2 turns on the winch to finish trimming. We actually counted the handle turns to demonstrate the benefits of "staying ahead of task" as a little life lesson to my daughter during a race a couple weekends ago .. Works particularly well in light to moderate winds (Less than 15) it still helps a bunch in higher winds. That being said that Winchrite thing looks real good :-) I think $650.00 is a reasonable price (If it works well) compared to several 1000.00's for electric winches. I'd love to try one. My shoulders get do get sore when we race in high winds... -Francois Rivard 1990 34+ "Take Five" Lake Lanier, GA Subject: Re: Stus-List Winchrite Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Have you priced electric winches? You may need dedicated batteries for those, too? Self tailers are less money. Not sure about winch rites? Smaller jib for shorthanded sailing may be wiser. Also, try to head upwind more during a tack to get the sail sheeted in without the winch handle. Remove any slack in lazy sheet before tacking and put two turns on the winch. Set the mainsheet and traveller close to center to help the turn. Put the autohelm on Standby and let the boat tack itself. Let the wheel ease into the turn slowly, hold the release till the wind is 1/3 up the genoa, release and start pulling the new sheet. Once the genoa clew is past the shrouds, try and slow the turn with a nudge of the wheel, so the sail is inside the lifelines and you can get 95% of the sheet in, without the handle, fall off to the right course, set autohelm, trim the last bit of sheet. Takes practice, but can be a lot of fun. Our boats turn so easily, you can handle them like a dinghy. If you go in irons and find you are going backward, remember to "Reverse the Rudder" to get pointed in the right direction. Don't let the rudder turn to the stop. One or two spokes off center is all that you need to turn the boat and get back on course. Chuck Resolute 1990 C&C 34R Broad Creek, Magothy River, Md
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