bjmoose
Member
For last night's racing, in addition to wind we had quite powerful gusts and shifty conditions (storm front moving through.)
Previously, I've observed that if I leave the centerboard in the "down" position when I turn downwind (i.e. I don't raise it) the boat is more stable and doesn't rock as much from side to side.
Since the fastest way to the bottom mark involves not capsizing, this seems like a pretty good idea to me in conditions that challenge the limits of my ability.
But I was talking to one of the most experienced laser racers afterwards, and he said that in windy conditions downwind, it's possible for the laser to "trip" over its centerboard, and that raising it therefore promotes control and makes wipeouts less likely. However he wasn't able to give me a very good explanation of how/why this occurs, and I should further mention that the only time I passed this same sailor all night was when he deathrolled and wiped out on one downwind leg.
I searched this forum and found nothing.
Tell me more of this "tripping." Why do we raise the daggerboard on the downwind leg? Is it just to reduce drag? Or are there other reasons?
Previously, I've observed that if I leave the centerboard in the "down" position when I turn downwind (i.e. I don't raise it) the boat is more stable and doesn't rock as much from side to side.
Since the fastest way to the bottom mark involves not capsizing, this seems like a pretty good idea to me in conditions that challenge the limits of my ability.
But I was talking to one of the most experienced laser racers afterwards, and he said that in windy conditions downwind, it's possible for the laser to "trip" over its centerboard, and that raising it therefore promotes control and makes wipeouts less likely. However he wasn't able to give me a very good explanation of how/why this occurs, and I should further mention that the only time I passed this same sailor all night was when he deathrolled and wiped out on one downwind leg.
I searched this forum and found nothing.
Tell me more of this "tripping." Why do we raise the daggerboard on the downwind leg? Is it just to reduce drag? Or are there other reasons?