Constantly while sailing, especially during tacking, I get really tangled up with the sheet. This usually leads to a capsize, because I try to get loose and hike, only to find my feet are completely tangled, and therefore, I have no control over the sail. This is really annoying, especially during regattas!!!
Does anyone know of some technique or method to avoid this from happening??
In an issues of sail magazine I saw a new America's cup boat and it had inspection ports that they would put the excess line in it looked like it really cleared up the deck.
In an issues of sail magazine I saw a new America's cup boat and it had inspection ports that they would put the excess line in it looked like it really cleared up the deck.
It's funny, when I sailed Finns for a bit, I had so much room in the cockpit that I had trouble organizing the mainsheet as there was too much room! It would get all over the place, I was walking all over it, it would get tangled in the hiking straps, bilge area/drain. The problem never goes away my friends, you just have to deal with it the best you can. In the Laser for me, its by shoving it in the front corners. Some tie it to the hiking strap in the front, some in back. Try and see what works for you.
I learned to always kick the sheet off my feet if it started getting tangled around my feet. I shove the sheet into a pile somewhere away from my feet, and after every tack or jibe I kick whatever may have tangled around my feet away and into the pile. Works well once you're in the habit.
Constantly while sailing, especially during tacking, I get really tangled up with the sheet. This usually leads to a capsize, because I try to get loose and hike, only to find my feet are completely tangled, and therefore, I have no control over the sail. This is really annoying, especially during regattas!!!
Does anyone know of some technique or method to avoid this from happening??
Tie the sheet off to the back of the cockpit and do as the poster above said and just keep kicking it back there. The front of the cockpit needs to be clean and organised. Last thing you want is to be treading on and getting tangled up in mainsheet.
Thanks guys! The tips have all been great, and I tried applying them at a regatta I took part in yesterday. To my relief, getting tangled is a problem no more!!
in light air i will tie the end of my main sheet to the hiking strap and in heavy wind when i am rounding the down wind mark i will just throw the line out of the boat(only if no ones close)