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I’ve modified the Maritime chart of the Pittwater area with the racing marks added which you can download from the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uf2qozmyrh98oxq/pittwater_weta_chart_A3_V2.pdfThere’s a smaller version here but you may find it difficult to read the detail.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5qr2pjtawe9lsrv/pittwater_weta_chart3.pngI have a KML file available with the marks as waypoints for anyone who uses a GPS or iRegatta.
If they’re over 180lbs 20-30 mph is 17-25 knots which should be easy with the big sail if they have dinghy experience IMHO.
If they’ve not had dinghy experience, or experience with a dinghy that requires hiking, then before they go out, show them the hiking position using the toe-straps sitting on the outer edge of the tramp as well as sitting on the ama with the harness.
I’d also suggest you go out with them the first time and while you steer sitting on the edge of the hull (you don’t get so wet there!) while they hike out from the edge of the tramp using the toe-straps (or sitting on the ama) with the mainsheet in their hand and then swap over so they get used to both positions, before going out alone.
Upwind, the key is to use your weight to balance the heel by hiking out first and then if the leward ama still starts to bury, ease the main and/or feather up. Conversely, on a reach (especially with the kite up) you need to bear away and ease the kite if the leward hull buries which seems counter-intuitive but it reduces the heel and pressure on the sails.
Paul
While I can see the benefit of a zip-off reefing main in winds over 35 knots, I think you’d rarely need one if you had the small main and furling jib as you could always use the main alone and (if not already sailing) ease the shroud tension to allow the mast tip to go forward and allow you to tack more easily.
All your videos show you lying on the tramp bracing your feet on the opposite side of the cockpit which means you’re only getting 1/4 of the righting moment you could get by getting your weight out further. Take a look at pics and videos of other Weta sailors such as this one – https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A46CPWFXXeY.
I think you’d find you can get more out of your Weta than you think by learning to hike out from the outer frame of the tramp (it helps to put foam padding underneath) and when you’ve mastered this, by sitting on the Ama using the harness. Apart from anything else you get much less spray in the face!
It would also be good if the Calendar could be embedded in the Weta Australia website.
Details here http://www.fabulousblogging.com/2013/10/how-to-use-google-calendar-with-your-wordpress-blog-or-website/
I could only find the Facebook page I included in the Calendar.
From my experience sailing sportsboats with gennekers, comments on the Weta forums and limited experience wih my Weta, it would seem that the rule of thumb is:
– Go for speed by turning up in the lulls and down in the gusts. Faster and further is better than lower and slower.
– If overpowered always head downwind – don’t luff up (you’ll likely capsize)
– If it’s windy, hoist when heading more downwind and then point up to your course
– Don’t cleat the gennker (you can’t anyway in the standard setup) and adjust it as you turn up and bear away to keep the top trailing edge so it’s just starting to break (harder to see if you don’t have clear sails).Your aim is to get to the leward mark as fast as possible but this is a trade off between distance sailed and speed which can be expressed as Velocity Made Good or VMG. While you’re not allowed to use electronic instruments in Weta Class racing (Hurumph!) there’s nothing to stop you using them in open races or in practice – and use VMG to give you an idea of what the best heading is for a given wind speed.
You can get expensive marine instruments to do this, but a cheaper solution is to get an app called iRegatta ($9 for iPhone or Android) and a waterproof case or armband depending on your phone/tablet. iRegatta displays most of the functions of dedicated kit including VMG. More here http://www.letscreate.dk/letscreate/?q=node/1
