Go Fast Tips

Some tips and insights Ernie shared after the most recent (Feb 7-8, 2015) Jaguar series (with some editorial adjustments/additions by El Capitan).

Some interesting findings to share "for what they are worth"
- in heavy air moved the uppers back 2 holes from lowers...made huge difference in maintaining less head stay sag...no issues if wind drops held ok without penalty down to 15 or less if chop -beneficial w chop well below recommended 20 plus knots. In waves fore stay was oscillating and had lots of sag - adding backstay to flatten main shortens mast and slackens head stay more - jumpers back of mast allows to keep headstay tighter. (Ed: this is standard tuning guide advice for 20+ that most of us don't usually bother with.)
- used an "off the boat" coach to prep prior to the regatta...provided valuable perspective and input
- Coach also had us twist the main at top more...we were running too flat. (Ed: this is for 18+ and chop...twist and drive a bit lower)
- (Ed: Ernie has the new mast ram which replaces the step block/chocks system.) It is really interesting...can see changes as they happen with main and is always secure
- adjustable head stay is a great addition - no undoing bungee - no clevis and o ring in mouth jumping around in waves hoping you don't drop them....made in England - nice addition for series
- we added markers to spreaders - inside reference for lighter air - outside for heavier...good idea (Ed: if you don't have these already, talk to Ernie, Dave or me)
- having yarn on shrouds gives better reference for squaring pole than Windex (Ed: agree...this is what we have on Pied Piper.)
- interesting technique for jibing in lighter conditions when all on weather rail - bow guy says made not when attached to mast but when made on new guy - than crew quickly moves to this new side - pole floats out nicely and smoothly...never did that - works well..
- having coach do a ton of 3 minute starts over and over is a huge benefit - suggest we do that one night....tons of starts - than tune against one another for a few short legs/ races
- north sail setting very different now from our old settings - like a new boat - trying to get use to it..
- fleet down here is much tighter / tougher - but 80 not 10 below..

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LCYC is a member-run yacht club located in a sheltered cove on the southwest shore of Shelburne Bay in Shelburne, Vermont, USA. We offer moorings, activities, and community for our members, most of whom own a sailboat or powerboat. The object of the Club is to promote and encourage boating and sailing on Lake Champlain, while emphasizing racing, cruising, and education, without financial gain. Click here if you are interested in joining LCYC!

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Lake Champlain offers some of the best freshwater cruising in North America. The beautiful scenery and charming lakeside destinations make it a great place to explore. LCYC organizes several rendezvous events. Spontaneous cruising events also materialize throughout the season. We have a number of scheduled events planned for the summer season. Cruisers are out and about just about every weekday and weekend throughout the summer.

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Lake Champlain Yacht Club has an active junior sailing program, open to all children ages 8-17. We use Optimist prams and Flying Junior dinghies for instruction and racing. Full and half-day sessions are offered for all ability levels over an eight week period each summer. All of our Instructors are US Sailing certified and have extensive experience.

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