 |
 |
| Tips
for Novice Multihull Racers - by Keith
Roberts |
 |
 |
| When
the racing bug bites |
|
| .In
light of the growing number of multihull
races and regattas now occurring, |
I'd
like to pass on a few tips and explanations
of the rules as they apply to our multihull
fleets. Whether it's a full blown ocean
race or an enjoyable mid week blast
around the cans, remember the boy scout
motto - Be Prepared!
Your boat must be seaworthy and safe. Excellent information about multihull
safety requirements is available from the new AYF Blue Book available for
online purchase at Emultihulls.com, marine retailers and most Sailing
Clubs.
More cruising orientated regattas are appearing on the race trail with
events like the EMIC Regatta, Seawind Rendezvous and Whitsunday Multihull Rendezvous
encouraging first time racers to participate in the wonderfully exciting
race environment. These tips are for those newcomers!
So ... once armed with the Race Rules and Sailing Instructions, you head
out to the race course, full enthusiasm - and apprehension - firing. Prowling
up and down the race line, the more experienced sailors will be marking
their territory like wildcats stalking their prey. Don't be intimidated
- just remember the Fundamental Rules you've read and reread the night
before!
PART
2 - WHEN BOATS MEET
10) ON OPPOSITE TACKS
When boats are on opposite tacks,a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a
starboard-tack boat.
11) ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep
clear of a leeward boat.
12) ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern
shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
13) WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind,she shall keep clear of other boats until
she is on a close hauled course. During that time, Rules 10,11 and 12 do
not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the
one on the other's port side shall keep clear.
(And most importantly...)
14) AVOIDING CONTACT
A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However,a
right of way boat or one entitled to room,
a) need not act to avoid contact until it is
clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving
room, and
b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless
there is contact that causes damage.
An
easy starting technique that
works well for most sailors is
the timed run away and return.
The new rules as of 2001 have
a new internationally recognised
start sequence as follows ...
With 5 mins to the actual start, a gun will sound and your divisional
flag will be hoisted. At 4 mins, the "Blue Peter" (P flag,
blue with a white square) will be raised and a gun or horn blasted.
At 1 min the P flag is lowered, also with a sound signal.
The actual race start is signalled by lowering of the divisional
flag and a single gun or horn blast. To make your start easy, attempt
to be close to the start boat around the 4 min gun on a port tack.
Continue to sail away from the line on a port tack for about 1 3/4
minutes then tack back onto starboard and return to the start line.
With reasonable timing and a steady breeze, this will put you back
at the favoured line end for an impressive start. Often, however,
the start boat end will be congested. It may pay for the novice to
aim for the middle of the line, avoiding the luffing duels that
|
 |
are so entertaining to the
start boat crew!a
Starting on a port tack is always to be avoided unless the line has
a huge wind bias and the race fleet is small. Starting in mixed mono
and multi fleets is like putting pit bulls in with the greyhounds!
The pitbulls will snap at your heels and force confrontation but
your speed should keep you out of trouble. The spirit of fairness
is alive and well in yacht racing, however, with the multihull 'brothers'
generally looking after their 'brethren'. Avoid the mono confrontation
unless you want to shout the beer at the bar later!
Now that you've crossed the start line with impressive precision,
it's time to check the trim of the all important wind engine. Earlier
practise should be telling you the best traveller and genoa car positions.
The tell tales should be streaming efficiently with the windward
jib telltale lifting just marginally higher than your leeward ribbons.
This will be your optimum windward angle for maximum V.M.G. to the
first windward mark. Remember that your sails will be sheeted in
flatter and firmer if the wind is fresh.
Using your speedo or GPS for reference, adjust any and/or all trimming
lines for maximum speed. In a competitive environment, your crew
will be tweaking many lines in an attempt to squeeze the utmost from
your sails. In normal windward and reaching races, all of the following
will be adjusted for optimum speed with the highest priority listed
first -
Main Sheet - Main Traveller - Genoa
Sheet - Genoa Car - Outhaul - Cunningham - Main
Halyard and Jib Halyard. Don't forget
to raise your centreboards while running.
Hopefully, your sparkling start, peerless performance and tremendous
tactics will see you first across the line - or at least in the upper
placings!
If all of the above sounds like too much work, just remind yourself
how participating in racing will give you the knowledge to reduce
your passage times substantially as you learn more and more about
your boat. Also, don't believe your boat's too slow to race. Our EMIC Regatta
is just one example that sees all manner of heavy charterboats and
loaded cruisers fronting up to compete with modern racers. Yacht
Club officials recognise the difference, adjusting handicaps and
courses accordingly. A great time is had by all, and the podium is
shared equally between cruisers and racers alike. |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
