We had a great race yesterday on my buddy's 27' Stiletto catamaran. The winds were generally light with moderate and shifty puffs, but we were smokin' the fleets.... until we sailed into the side of the course where the wind died. We saw boats 10 minutes behind us in the multihull fleet catch up and cross the finish line before us. That was depressing.
But, it was great to be out. I needed the break after all the work, work, work I have been doing.
—
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Sorry to hear that Duane. Light air can be a real beating. I think that it is 1000 times harder to race in light air than when it is in the 20s.
I have had my share of being "hung out to dry" on one side of the course and it is not fun.
It would be intersting to hear how people setup the boat for light air.
We usually try to get an extra person on board for additional leward "rail meat." The additional heel helps keep the sails full.
I usually struggle with main position in light conditions. I have gone through the "North U Trim" book but it seems to end up being a guessing game.
Somewhere between the main setup, crew not moving about, and patience probalby lies the answer.
If anyone has thoughts or success in light air with their 36, please chime in.
Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma
www.texomasailing.org
[QUOTE=jmontani;4085]...If anyone has thoughts or success in light air with their 36, please chime in.[/QUOTE]
Bag everything! Losen the halyards, outhaul, cunningham you name it.
Move the crew to the leward rail and get gravity to help you with sail shape but have them stay out of the slot. And don't be afraid to shake out the headsail. Sometimes in light air the wind will stall over the headsail and shaking it out will reestablish the airflow over it.
A friend of mine has blown out sails on his Catalina 30 and he always does well in light air because they are so baggy.
When an airplane is coming in for landing they increase the airfoil on the wing by lowering the leading edge slats and dropping the flaps. Bagging the sails has the same effect, and we want to generate as much lift as we can in light air.
Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas