laser2_9804
New Member
I sail on a river and the wind is usually pretty shifty, especially on the way around the corner. I have been sailing there for a while, but I still can't pick the windshifts and consequently it is slowing me down. I will be hit by a shift and the sails will back, or the boat will stop, or whatever, and all the other boats around me just keep sailing. They all just say that it effects everyone, and that they are difficult conditions etc, but if it effects everyone then why am I always so far back? Yesterday the other boats were already back onshore and de-rigged by the time I crossed the finish line.
Also, what should I do if I get hit by a HUGE shift? I had some yesterday when I was coming back around the corner - they were so huge that both sails backed and the boat started coming over on top of me. I barely understand what is happening to the boat, and why, let alone what to do about it. We almost ended up in the drink a number of times. No-one else gets affected like that, but I have no idea what they are doing that I am not doing.
I have the chance to sail with the top sailor in the fleet, but when I've sailed with him in the past he just picked all the shifts, but couldn't explain how he did it. It didn't help me very much as neither my crew or I can pick the shifts, and therefore I need to know what to do when we get hit by one.
Suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, what should I do if I get hit by a HUGE shift? I had some yesterday when I was coming back around the corner - they were so huge that both sails backed and the boat started coming over on top of me. I barely understand what is happening to the boat, and why, let alone what to do about it. We almost ended up in the drink a number of times. No-one else gets affected like that, but I have no idea what they are doing that I am not doing.
I have the chance to sail with the top sailor in the fleet, but when I've sailed with him in the past he just picked all the shifts, but couldn't explain how he did it. It didn't help me very much as neither my crew or I can pick the shifts, and therefore I need to know what to do when we get hit by one.
Suggestions would be appreciated.