Marine Forum

Sailing in light winds

SailAway

15 February 2006 09:09:09

Joined: 15 February 2006 09:05:20 | Posts: 4

Can anyone give me some pointers on sailing in light wind?

I'm quite new to sailing and have been out a few times on C30s. I can manage the boat quite well in a moderate, stable wind. But most the of time, the wind here is less than 10 knots and variable. No matter what I seem to do with the sails, they just flap around and I don't go any faster than 2 kts (usually sideways). Anyone out there give me a clue?

Re: Sailing in light winds

CaptainBoaty

15 February 2006 09:12:48

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:39:23 | Posts: 5

When there's little wind, you have to really work hard to get a decent boat speed.

In light wind conditions you seldom should have the sheets tacked down, hand tend them, look for the first signs of luffing and then adjust immediately. This is the fun of the sailing challenge.

You take what you can get and adjust course and trim continuously. Helps also to keep crew movements to a minimum, remember the phrase "don't rock the boat". Practice, practice, practice.

Hit the library or book store and read the vast amount of literature that is available. Sail in company of other boats, learn by watching how more experienced folks handle the near identical situations.

Re: Sailing in light winds

AquaBoy

15 February 2006 09:16:46

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:37:45 | Posts: 13

What boat are you sailing? What is the condition of the sails? Is your bottom clean (I mean the bottom of the boat - Im not meaning to be rude LOL)?

The best sailors come from places with light wind. Anyone can make a boat go with lots of wind. Did the lessons you took show you how to tune your rig?

Re: Sailing in light winds

SailAway

15 February 2006 09:20:31

Joined: 15 February 2006 09:05:20 | Posts: 4

I'm sailing in a Catalina 30, rental. I've no idea what the bottom is like and the sails are your standard main and jib. Tuning is also unknown, but seems standard to me. I'm guessing there are reasons then why I can't seem to get anywhere.

Re: Sailing in light winds

AquaBoy

15 February 2006 09:22:11

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:37:45 | Posts: 13

Don't over trim the sails. Novices aften pull them in too tight. Sails should be let out until they just begin to luff at the top on any point of sail.
Pick a course off the wind at say 60 degrees and trim the sails without altering course you will see big differences with sail trim. Watch other boats and do what they are doing.

Re: Sailing in light winds

SeaWeed

15 February 2006 09:24:56

Joined: 24 November 2005 14:39:02 | Posts: 7

If there are other boats around, try to be upwind of them when you over-take. Or don't let them be upwind of you when they overtake you.

That way you'll make sure that you're not getting sheilded from the wind by their sails.

Re: Sailing in light winds

SailAway

17 February 2006 10:02:33

Joined: 15 February 2006 09:05:20 | Posts: 4

Thanks everyone for you answers - very helpful.

ronyuti

13 September 2007 08:02:40

Joined: 13 September 2007 06:28:18 | Posts: 6

Hey guy,
I m lover of sailing.But I also new in this field so i had not much information about it.but you mind sharing that on splashvision.com. I go there a lot and I am sure the guys over there would really find much more information.Or try to at
rutlandsc.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=53
Best luck guy........

Re: Sailing in light winds

Pascal

07 October 2007 11:55:34

Joined: 10 January 2007 17:37:33 | Posts: 6

To perfect your light wind sailing skills you may want to use a speedo/compass display like a Nauteek (http://www.exaqua.co.uk/nauteek.php)

The idea is that you can see instantly the effect of sails trimming on boat speed and heading.

Regards,
Pascal