Sailing in Light Wind

Here’s some light wind sailing hints. It’s one person’s opinion, so no need to throw things at me if you disagree. Thought it might be interesting as we do get the odd quiet day out on the lake.

Apologies to the original author… I can’t remember where this copy came from. I have searched again on the web and can’t find it... If anyone knows where it came from please let me know here.

LIGHT WIND


Sit far enough forward to lif the transom out of the water. In drifter conditions I get all the way onto the foredeck, in front of the front beam.

For more information than your brain can handle on sail trim and handling, check this book out:

To summarise though;

Upwind: if the water's glassy you need a very flat sail; outhaul tight, downhaul tight, with the traveller centred and mainsheet eased to allow twist. Steer off the lower tell-tales and sheet to keep the upper tell-tales flowing.

Going the right way scores better results than being the fastest; look up at the clouds. Wind is pushed in front of clouds and dies off behind them.

Wind is funnelled by hills, stay well away from lee shores and go for the channels between them.

When you sail into a hole, the apparent wind will swing forwards, as if you've sailed into a knock. It may be best to hold your course, and glide through the hole with momentum, as opposed to bearing off and losing speed.

Once there's enough wind to ripple the water, you can ease the outhaul and downhaul a little (not too much), to increase power. Try get your weight leewards so you can lift the windward hull as soon as possible. You might do this by doing the wild thing; sailing from the leeward side of the sail. This can be very fast, if you manage to see where you're going and what the sails are doing.

I like to sit by the mast step, with legs on the leeward side, leaning forwards. Oversheet a little lift the hull, then ease it to maintain sail flow.

And did I mention moving your weight forwards?