Boating chit chat thread.

Stheno

Fab weekend

Munster game yesterday, then sailing this morning, there was bugger all wind, so I got to helm for an hour (I'm still one of those crap helms that has to helm to a point, in this case the edge of Lambay, or according to the compass), then I did the mainsheet for another hour or so.

To those of you who know me to be a tiny creature when it comes to "weighing" people as sailors, we'd 5-9 knots of wind at most, so was a lovely opportunity to have a go at something I'd rarely get to do if we were racing.

Gave me loads of confidence that were we stuck some night racing and it was light winds, I could cope.

I was ****e though with adjusting the track when tacking if you know what I mean? Just a case of practice though I reckon.

Then home and the Leinster game.

Can't ask for better, a weekend of rugby and sailing

Steve

Stheno wrote: »

Can't ask for better, a weekend of rugby and sailing

Would've been better if Leinster won but otherwise Yay \o/

Stheno

Steve wrote: »

Would've been better if Leinster won but otherwise Yay \o/

In the 65th minute I believed

pedroeibar1

Stheno wrote: »

(I'm still one of those crap helms that has to helm to a point, in this case the edge of Lambay, or according to the compass),

I was ****e though with adjusting the track when tacking if you know what I mean? Just a case of practice though I reckon.

Just catching up on this thread. I think you are being unfair to yourself. If you can maintain a heading and in particular sail a compass course you are doing well – I know several people who have sailed for years and still forget which way to put the helm when correcting their course to keep on a compass heading. Except when racing upwind most people sail to a mark, be it a racing mark, buoy, headland, pier, whatever, (making allowances for tide and lee-way). You sail to that mark and let the sail-trimmers handle the rest.

On the wind is where you will develop your sailing skills. Just before going about I look dead abeam to mark roughly where I will point the boat on the next tack. When beating, the key item to watch is the luff of the headsail. If you are sailing too close it will lift and shiver/flutter, so ease off. Light woollen telltales on the headsail are invaluable, they are the best indicator of airflow. The biggest mistake in beating is hauling in the sheet too hard (thereby flattening the sail and spoiling its aerodynamic shape) or pointing too close. Easing off the sheet by a couple of inches and sailing off another couple of degrees will do wonders for boatspeed.

Don't worry about the traveller/track in light winds, just leave it in the centre and forget about it.

Steve

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Just catching up on this thread. I think you are being unfair to yourself. If you can maintain a heading and in particular sail a compass course you are doing well ? I know several people who have sailed for years and still forget which way to put the helm when correcting their course to keep on a compass heading. Except when racing upwind most people sail to a mark, be it a racing mark, buoy, headland, pier, whatever, (making allowances for tide and lee-way). You sail to that mark and let the sail-trimmers handle the rest.

On the wind is where you will develop your sailing skills. Just before going about I look dead abeam to mark roughly where I will point the boat on the next tack. When beating, the key item to watch is the luff of the headsail. If you are sailing too close it will lift and shiver/flutter, so ease off. Light woollen telltales on the headsail are invaluable, they are the best indicator of airflow. The biggest mistake in beating is hauling in the sheet too hard (thereby flattening the sail and spoiling its aerodynamic shape) or pointing too close. Easing off the sheet by a couple of inches and sailing off another couple of degrees will do wonders for boatspeed.

Don't worry about the traveller/track in light winds, just leave it in the centre and forget about it.

Pretty much.

I've been helming a good many years and it's a bit like an instrument scan on an aircraft.
Check point of reference (if you have one), check telltales (upwind) or course (offwind) or AWA (downwind) check boatspeed, glance at what crew are doing. Rinse and repeat. Once you master that, you start to 'feel' the boat and are able to feather in gusts etc so the main trim has less work and you gain a slight pointing advantage. Everything is subtle but the scan above is a good grounding.

bilbot79

Hi Guys,

Can't just ask? If I get an extended permit from waterways Ireland. Where can I keep my boat?

Is it just anywhere I want?

neris

Irish News ?
'Malicious act of vandalism' - safety boat belonging to youth club slashed and engine stolen

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/malicious-act-of-vandalism-safety-boat-belonging-to-youth-club-slashed-and-engine-stolen-35691109.html

JamesM

neris wrote: »

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/malicious-act-of-vandalism-safety-boat-belonging-to-youth-club-slashed-and-engine-stolen-35691109.html

I see that Kyron has just posted that 3 engines have been found hidded behind the west pier. It's disgusting that this should happen. Kyron has worked so hard for years building up that Club.
Jim

Steve

Is there still a 'cultural community' living behind the west pier?

noby

After about five years on the hard (busy with life) I'm finally getting round to giving my Corribee the attention it deserves. There's a bit of work to be done, so I'm going to take my time and aim to have her in the water next year. In the mean time I hope to do a bit of crewing locally to get back into the swing of it.

First up the inboard is coming out this year to see if it can be resurrected.

HeidiHeidi

Is this the worst start to a DBSC season in living memory?

It certainly is in our sailing career!

A grand total of 2 out of 8 races so far :mad:

Steve

Yeah it's been a bit nuts

neris

have a feeling the answer will be no but any one know any shops around the dublin area that have a decent large selection of blocks and cleats? need to rig a few purchase systems and 2 places near me on northside have a a poxy selection of various sized blocks and cleats. Tried uk online stores but postage price is putting me off and delivery times could be to tight

Vexorg

I have used Mast and Rigging in Donabate recently for Tyleska and Harken gear, anything not in stock was in in a couple of days and prices were similar or less than uk suppliers. There is also Marine Parts Direct in Swords. Viking Marine in Dun Laoghaire, dont have a large stock on hand but you may be lucky.

neris

Marine parts I tried. Totally forgot about masts and rigging

BowWow

neris wrote: »

have a feeling the answer will be no but any one know any shops around the dublin area that have a decent large selection of blocks and cleats? need to rig a few purchase systems and 2 places near me on northside have a a poxy selection of various sized blocks and cleats. Tried uk online stores but postage price is putting me off and delivery times could be to tight

Parcel Motel?

Steve

Those that know what this is will appreciate it...

neris

Celtic mist?

Steve

Yep, I reckon so. Came across it on facebook.

neris

Some goose neck

Steve

Is that a H17?

Stheno

Steve wrote: »

Is that a H17?

I reckon so

neris

Steve wrote: »

Is that a H17?

Yep

pedroeibar1

not very sail friendly if you have to reef.

neris

Steve

Awesome pic!

neris

Some transom on that. Julian Everett design.

pedroeibar1

Playing to the IOR Rule? The half-tonner Eliminator in Dun L was an Everett design.
(somebody left the stb. spinny sheet in the water!)

neris

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Playing to the IOR Rule? The half-tonner Eliminator in Dun L was an Everett design.
(somebody left the stb. spinny sheet in the water!)

Alot of the IOR designs from the 70s and early 80s were pig ugly. Pinched sterns, tiny cockpits, fat bottoms

neris