The Joy of Short Tacking

[Jammer]

On Saturday, a fresh breeze brought out bumpy conditions so we decided to sail up the river instead. Returning I experimented with short tacking strategies.

Every boat is different but on my boat it works well to roll up the Genoa and short tack on the main alone. I had the main slightly reefed (it's on a boom furler) so that the battens wouldn't hit the backstay on each tack. We were in a 400' wide channel. The wind had kept the recreational power boats at the dock, so the only other boat was an excursion vessel that could easily avoid us.

It was slower going without the Genoa but the upwind segment was short and we weren't in a hurry. Being able to just steer without fussing with jibsheets made it relaxing and enjoyable, and more fun than motoring.

My previous boat wouldn't tack reliably without rolling out a little bit of the jib but being a fractional rig and a smaller boat this was easy to do.

[Knotical]

That screenshot looks really cool, bet it was a lot of fun.

[leboyd]

I'm just not sure that 19h19m to go 8.9nm would be "fun" or "easier" to me

I'm sure that data on your screen is not correct.

[Chotu]

Nice course! You used every available inch of safe water to get there. Very efficient!

[psk125]

We had to do that once, going into Bermuda on an Ohlson 38. Our batteries had totally died on the way from Tortola, so we could not start the engine. A brisk SW breeze was blowing straight down the channel that runs along the north side of the islands. We hoisted a Solent-style 95% jib so as not to tire out the crew too much. Luckily the depth sounder had it's own separate battery, so when it read something like 100 feet, we'd tack, because the coral comes up so fast that the next reading would be 15. We made about 50 tacks, praying that no cruise ships would head out and make us turn back. It was very nice to ease off into Hamilton for Planter's Punches afterwards.

[DEAN2140]

I sail an Alerion 28 with a self tacking Hoyt boom. Short tacking is an enjoyable way of life.

[Senojev]

I learned to sail on a 200’ wide river in a heavy old 24’ sailboat. It was bank to bank to make any progress! It definitely teaches you how your boat handles and how to tack very effectively. A bad tack could set you back enough you had lost anything gained in the last three tacks.

[Don C L]

Gentlemen don't sail to windward.

Looks like fun, and to be able to sail that well with just the main, that's great! I love my boat but my longish keel and smallish rudder wouldn't let me follow you on that track I think, but I'd love to try anyway!

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Gentlemen don't sail to windward.

Looks like fun, and to be able to sail that well with just the main, that's great! I love my boat but my longish keel and smallish rudder wouldn't let me follow you on that track I think, but I'd love to try anyway!

Don if you try it, wait for a breezy day, and use your 80-100% headsail, anyhow the smallest one for ease of tacking. It'll help keep the head up.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Don if you try it, wait for a breezy day, and use your 80-100% headsail, anyhow the smallest one for ease of tacking. It'll help keep the head up.

No, no! Gotta try this experiment with just the main to keep it fair!

Yeah the trick is keeping the speed up through the tack too. You guys with yer new-fangled fin keels and spade rudders do that part better I gotta confess!

[SunnyIsleMark]

Originally Posted by DEAN2140

I sail an Alerion 28 with a self tacking Hoyt boom. Short tacking is an enjoyable way of life.

Same with a Freedom 28. Turn the wheel and done. Really makes the “crew” much happier, and makes tacking on every shift much more manageable!

[MGRodems]

We added a staysail last year. When sefl-taking, I put one sheet through a block at the clew and then tie to the sheeting position on the other side. It self tacks perfectly without having to adjust the sheet. Earlier this year, with the staysail in this position and the main trimmed normally, the admiral sailed into a river with an adverse current by just turning the wheel for each tack.

Nice!

[jeanathon]

I've done this with my C&C30 Redwing and a friends Pearson 30 at night on the ICW. The simplification is well worth the slight speed penalty. You also tend to have a more efficient track because you don't need to bear off as much to build speed on each tack.

[dfelsent]

I have fond memories of my Redwing 30.

[DirtPete]

Originally Posted by Jammer

On Saturday, a fresh breeze brought out bumpy conditions so we decided to sail up the river instead. Returning I experimented with short tacking strategies.

Every boat is different but on my boat it works well to roll up the Genoa and short tack on the main alone. I had the main slightly reefed (it's on a boom furler) so that the battens wouldn't hit the backstay on each tack. We were in a 400' wide channel. The wind had kept the recreational power boats at the dock, so the only other boat was an excursion vessel that could easily avoid us.

It was slower going without the Genoa but the upwind segment was short and we weren't in a hurry. Being able to just steer without fussing with jibsheets made it relaxing and enjoyable, and more fun than motoring.

My previous boat wouldn't tack reliably without rolling out a little bit of the jib but being a fractional rig and a smaller boat this was easy to do.

Saw you out there, was worried you were going to find the pilings by Lakehead Constrution just downriver of the Bong. Great day to sail though.