Regarding the "Amature Sailors" we couldnt tack!, i'm convinced it was because my crew was kooking it with the jib sheets, We had untold speed on and I'd call for the tack, turn the rudders so we flew into the wind, then we would just stall and the bow would get pushed back around to the way we just came from (close hauled) and have to continue on the same course - Toward the rocks!.
Deja vu. My wife and I just started last year and had the same problem.
Learn to do the roll tack. It's described here:
http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...&Main=9985&Search=true#Post10041The book to read on this is Rick and Mary White's Catamaran Racing for the 90s.
Knowing I had to do something drastic to avoid a nasty collision I called for us to turn downwind at speed - The result was a spectacular pitchpole, a bit of a concern being upside down but it was rather easy to get it back on its feet again.
The pitchpole is not really recommended, from what I understand ;->
Seriously, if you first go to a beam reach, then head a bit further downwind, but not directly downwind, you can then do the jibe a lot more safely from that position. I guess I go to a straight beam reach first (90 degrees), then to about half-way between that and straight downwind (135 degrees or so), before I actually do the jibe.
But I'm also a rank beginner, and others here may have better advice for you.
Good luck!
Jonathan
