J24 Blog

There is some good stuff going on at the Fleet 50 J/24 blog. Over the last several days, John Streuli has interviewed Bob Lambert, Jens Hookanson and PJ Schaffer about racing in their weekly regatta last Thursday out in Newport, RI. Here is Schaffer on tacking:

A big concern in heavy air with the genoa is tacking. What are the keys to a good tack in these situations?

PJ Schaffer: The biggest thing to remember is that “tacking” is a team sport. There is a common misconception that you have to be a big/strong person to tack the genoa in heavy air but the keys really are timing and coordination. The most important part of the tack is making sure the helmsman does not overturn the boat. The goal is to keep the boat moving through the tack while allowing the genoa to cross sides and lie within the opposite side lifelines. The cockpit trimmer must release just after the tack has started (slight backwind) so the sail “pops” thru the foretraingle. At this point the helmsman must slow the turn enough to allow the tailing of the sheet to catch up with the clew now on the new leeward side between the shrouds and lifelines. If the sail is heavily loaded on the new tack there is a good possibility the boat was turned too much thru the wind.

Here is the full post.