I had a FANTASTIC day on the water yesterday. What a rush that thing is. This was my second time on this boat, and the first time was in 2-3mph winds so it was kind of useless. Yesterday I experienced 4-11 mph winds and it was great. I got better and beating, block to block, and watching how the waves (tiny waves-it's a small inland lake) hit the hull at a certain angle.
I am pretty new at sailing and have only spent short amounts of time on windsurfers and small sailboats. I am kind of struggling to find wind - or should I say harness the wind. I have a wind vane on the mast and it does really help me figure out where the wind is coming from. I just need to learn better that if the wind is coming from this direction, I should have my sail at this position and I should point in this direction. I am sure it's a journey of learning and having it become instinctual, but I felt like Stevie Wonder out there just pointing the boat in all directions until I felt her take off.
I did have the kind of bad habit (I think it's bad) to let the sail out to between a close and beam reach while "hunting" and once I stated moving, I would keep sheeting in and picking up more speed. I would eventually be block to block and loose the wind and start the process again. Should I just leave the sail where it's at once I get a good run going and trim accordingly to stay in the zone?
Also, what is the fastest point of sail. I was just trying to have fun and not worried about where I was going. I suspect it's close-hauled, but not sure.
I know there are some vague questions - but I guess my biggest challenge is finding how to harness the wind - and to stay with it.
Mike
I am pretty new at sailing and have only spent short amounts of time on windsurfers and small sailboats. I am kind of struggling to find wind - or should I say harness the wind. I have a wind vane on the mast and it does really help me figure out where the wind is coming from. I just need to learn better that if the wind is coming from this direction, I should have my sail at this position and I should point in this direction. I am sure it's a journey of learning and having it become instinctual, but I felt like Stevie Wonder out there just pointing the boat in all directions until I felt her take off.
I did have the kind of bad habit (I think it's bad) to let the sail out to between a close and beam reach while "hunting" and once I stated moving, I would keep sheeting in and picking up more speed. I would eventually be block to block and loose the wind and start the process again. Should I just leave the sail where it's at once I get a good run going and trim accordingly to stay in the zone?
Also, what is the fastest point of sail. I was just trying to have fun and not worried about where I was going. I suspect it's close-hauled, but not sure.
I know there are some vague questions - but I guess my biggest challenge is finding how to harness the wind - and to stay with it.
Mike