Faqs

Q: When using the kite are there occasions when the helm should control the jib?

Basically when the kite is up, the main priority is to keep the kite drawing - this is the power, one flap and stop. The helm controls the jib when;
1. It is windy or when the crew is on the wire. If a gust comes, all the helm has to do is bear away - no panic!

2. It is very light and the crew is stood up by the mast watching and controlling the kite and balance of the boat - it is a lot easier for the helm to reach the jib than for the crew to step back, crouch down do the jib then return to the mast. A steady boat is fastest.

3. When gybing if helm is confident and crew is on wire, the helm backs the jib, uncleats the leeward sheet then all the crew has to do is come in do the kite the go out on the new wire. Alternatively helm bears away just enough to allow the crew to come in and sit on the side, then s/he backs the jib always making sure the kite does not flap!

4. In emergencies, ignore the jib completely! Gybe get going again then do the jib. The kite is the key!

5. Whoever is doing the jib, the other is looking at the kite and where the boat is going. No point doing the jib if you then proceed to crash into somebody or the kite flaps etc.

Q: How do I set the mast up?

A: Lean the mast towards the back of the gate (no jib up) and which ever hole the shrouds line up to on the chain plates, that's where you put the pin.

Q: How much rig tension should I be using?

A: Basically, pull the tension on until the rig tension gauge reads 23 on the jib luff.

Q: Who pulls the spinnaker up?

A: The crew. Unless the crew is small or not very strong, in which case the helm will have to pull the kite up. The main point behind the crew pulling the spinnaker up, is that the helm can concentrate on steering and keeping the boat balanced.

Q: The boat keeps on trying to screw up into wind when a gust hits. Why?

A: First, anticipate the gust coming (look for the black patch coming towards you), then just before it hits, release about an armfull of mainsheet, but then pull it straight back in. If the boat is already flat in the gusts, then maybe try and pull some more rig tension on, up to the 23 marker, this pulls the rig more upright and more over the daggerboard instead of over the transom.

Q: How do we stop the boat from slamming in light airs in chop?

A: Just before the chop strikes, the crew leans as far forward as posible, and the helm leans back. When the chop passes, move back together and forward.

Q: I've heard that the mainsheet strop height is important. Why?

A: It is important, in all ranges of wind. Basically, the kicker pulls the boom down and tensions the leech of the main. The mainsheet pulls the mainsail in. The strop wants to be set a few inches below the boom. This will probably mean replacing he existing rope that came with the boat for a longer piece. In light airs, the mainsheet is pulled in until tension is felt, then the last few inches are used to tension the leech. The kicker is pulled on just to take the slack up, so when the main is eased, the boom doesn't reach for the sky. In strong winds, more kicker is used, pulling the boom down, so the strops have to be a litle further down. If the strops are too low down, then a lot of effort is put into pulling the main down instead of in.