Dear everybody,
Today I posted the report from test sail 4 on http://vikingvareo.wordpress.com/
That web page has the full report and a video.

I do have 2 questions that arose today, if anybody might have answers:

1.
Beating on a tack (only main sail), I was sometimes overpowered by a gust. Then, I simply released the main sail a bit to avoid capsize. I suppose a more experienced sailor would anticipate the gust, tighten the kicker just before it hits, depowering the main sail, and then release the kicker after the gust. What would you do?

2.
Since I sail every week in a sweetwater lake area, and since I’m lazy, I have so far left the spinnaker in the sock permanently. The boat has a top cover but this still means that the spinnaker often stays moist. The user manual recommends me to always dry, fold and store it separately. Thus, how bad is my treatment for the spinnaker?


best regards

Hi Per.

I watched some of your video, although its been along time since I've been on the gunwale, I did use to be an Rya instructor.

First and foremost, I think you need to just relax a little more whilst sailing. Take your time with your movements. In the wind conditions you started in, any harsh movement knocks the wind out of the sails. I could see that you had concerns regarding filling the main and gennaker.

By moving you body weight forwards, and allowing the hull to heel to leewards slightly you'll help the sails fill. Once you generate some speed allow the hull to come back to a level.

Just relax and enjoy it. Don't be afraid of the boat.

To answer questions above.
1. Release the kicker to depower (adds twist to the sail and spills the wind) and pull it back on to power up. Generally play your main before you play the kicker.

2. The treatment isn't great as it will weaken the fibres in the sail. However if it's just casual sailing you are doing and not racing I don't think it's an issue.

However there are much more experienced sailors on here than me that can probably assist more.
edited by podmeister on 27/06/2012

keep the boat flat, kicker on hard, keep hold of the mainsheet, & ease it as the gust hits then bring it back in, but keep it flat. Only release the kicker if completely over powered. Pull the kite out the shute into the centre of the boat under the cover, it should then remain dry if you must be lazy!!

Hi Per, Good to see your loving the sailing. I follow your blog with interest and watch your vids. 

I am having a bit of a frustrating time with my vareo at the moment. I am mainly sailing in handicap races, the idea being that I can judge improvement in boat speed etc against other boats. After being a bit worried about using the kite I am now loving the downhill and as you would expect fly past the lasers and solos. It is the up hill that I am struggling with. I have trouble even pulling away from Toppers! 

In light winds I am having trouble keeping the boat moving. I think this may be down to having the mainsheet in too far. I read Rick's notes and this seems to point to this being an issue. In a blow  (F4). I am finding myself overpowered most of the time and have real trouble keeping the boat flat. I also find it hard to point as high as the lasers which I thought would be possible. I am not sure I have the kicker on enough. Coming from a class where kicker adjustment has little effect I am yet to appreciate the impact of this on the boat.

Keep up the good work. I think you are a little way ahead of me in the learning curve so I follow with interest.

Dear Stuart, Thanks for your comforting reply. I have often felt exactly the same, "the others are good sailors and I am a klutz". At least I'm not alone with such feelings :-)

Hi Per, Good to see your loving the sailing. I follow your blog with interest and watch your vids. 

I am having a bit of a frustrating time with my vareo at the moment. I am mainly sailing in handicap races, the idea being that I can judge improvement in boat speed etc against other boats. After being a bit worried about using the kite I am now loving the downhill and as you would expect fly past the lasers and solos. It is the up hill that I am struggling with. I have trouble even pulling away from Toppers! 

In light winds I am having trouble keeping the boat moving. I think this may be down to having the mainsheet in too far. I read Rick's notes and this seems to point to this being an issue. In a blow  (F4). I am finding myself overpowered most of the time and have real trouble keeping the boat flat. I also find it hard to point as high as the lasers which I thought would be possible. I am not sure I have the kicker on enough. Coming from a class where kicker adjustment has little effect I am yet to appreciate the impact of this on the boat.

Keep up the good work. I think you are a little way ahead of me in the learning curve so I follow with interest.

Great idea with the Everytrail app. I have downloaded and will take out on the water tomorrow.