Some hints and tips

[ross_burkin]

http://www.roostersailing.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=800art&Store_Code=1

It's for an RS800 but I'm sure that some of it will be transferable to Cherub sailing.

[Phil Alderson]

Some quite good stuff there, although I am woried by:

All ropes were new, every line was replaced.  It’s not unrealistic to expect ropes to only last a week especially when it is windy and 16 races are completed.

I must be doing something wrong, I do not destroy ropes in 16 races, it is either 1 or several years. I also do not win much so is this a technique I need to develop?.

[smight at bbsc]

That does some a tad excessive. 

[Will_Lee]

The whole thing is an infomercial.....

(Advertising dressed as something else - in this case not very well disguised)

[Tim Noyce]

Still an interesting read though. I've managed to read it and not purchase any Rooster gear so I'm not too worried!

[ross_burkin]

"We use Rooster boots because they have excellent grip on the sole and hold your foot well preventing it going in one direction while the boot tries to go another."

[smight at bbsc]

It is on the rooster website though? Surely these guys want to big up the rooster gear as they get a load of stuff free from them through sponsorship.

[phil_kirk]

I've read and not bought any rooster gear.

It's interesting to learn any new tips on how to sail these boats having learn't by trial and error.  We always finds something goes wrong and then spend the next week trying to figure out what we are doing that causes it. I'm sure a lot of techniques cross over from one class to another however I'm glad i don't have the main upwind.  This would cause a whole lot more capsizes.

[ross_burkin]

Some sail stuff hear. I havn't read much but it seems to be useful.

http://www.pinbax.com/index.asp?selection=Science%20Behind%20Sails

[kevin_ellway]

If you really want to get an idea of how sails actually work and therefore be able to set your rig up from 1st principles rather than relying on numbers (difficult in a development class) then I would suggest looking at WB sails excellent website. The author is Mikko Brummer who is an aerodynamics guy as well as a sailmaker.

The link is http://www.wb-sails.fi/ then go to aerodynamics.

The 'quest for the perfect shape' gives loads of info on how to set your main and jib for different winds and how they interact. It's got interactive graphics so you can play with virtual sheet tension etc:  http://www.wb-sails.fi/news/98_11_PerfectShape/Main.htm

And this is really good on how to use tell tales  http://www.wb-sails.fi/news/SailTrimSim/TrimSimFrames.htm

Have fun