merk je solo met de gennaker veel verschil in snelheid geeft ten opzichte van een fok solo varend? En het lijkt of je solo met de gennaker af en toe van je koers af wordt geduwd als hij goed de wind pakt? Zie ik dat goed of ben jij aan het sturen om te zoeken om de wind optimaal in de zeilen te hebben (ik ben een complete beginner met de dart 18)?
I'd say you're quite a bit faster on the downwind mostly because you can sail a deeper angle with more speed. The following applies to catamarans with asymmetric spinnakers (and in broader terms to many other boats with the same type of sail): With most boats you have the most power on a beam reach, when the boat is sailing perpendicular to the true wind angle. When hoisting the spinnaker or after a jibe you point the boat more to windward (from almost straight downwind). You will feel more power as you move closer to a beam reach. As the hull starts to lift you can hold your course. If a gust hits, you bear away to decrease the power and to not capsize. You trim the sail accordingly so that the luff of the spinnaker is almost collapsing but not quite. This results in mostly course changes to adapt to the gusts, lulls and shifts in the wind. I hope this helps. Downwind with the spinnaker is more about course changes than sail trim (though important as well). The main sail stays locked in tight to support the mast.
merk je solo met de gennaker veel verschil in snelheid geeft ten opzichte van een fok solo varend? En het lijkt of je solo met de gennaker af en toe van je koers af wordt geduwd als hij goed de wind pakt? Zie ik dat goed of ben jij aan het sturen om te zoeken om de wind optimaal in de zeilen te hebben (ik ben een complete beginner met de dart 18)?
I'd say you're quite a bit faster on the downwind mostly because you can sail a deeper angle with more speed. The following applies to catamarans with asymmetric spinnakers (and in broader terms to many other boats with the same type of sail): With most boats you have the most power on a beam reach, when the boat is sailing perpendicular to the true wind angle. When hoisting the spinnaker or after a jibe you point the boat more to windward (from almost straight downwind). You will feel more power as you move closer to a beam reach. As the hull starts to lift you can hold your course. If a gust hits, you bear away to decrease the power and to not capsize. You trim the sail accordingly so that the luff of the spinnaker is almost collapsing but not quite. This results in mostly course changes to adapt to the gusts, lulls and shifts in the wind. I hope this helps. Downwind with the spinnaker is more about course changes than sail trim (though important as well). The main sail stays locked in tight to support the mast.
Nice ride! I have a dart18 and I am looking for a suitable gennaker kit. Where did you get yours from?
Hey, I got it from www.dartcatamarane.com/2018/03/20/dart-18-gennacker-kit/
But how can you right the boat single handed ?
I can't 🥲