Yep,

I'm with John on this one.

My best advice to newbies in these conditions is that follow that big sail in front (spi) and keep that happy all the time. You can then largely forget about the rest.

Keep the spi pulling at all time and have it fill very quickly on the other side. This will pull you back down again "bearing off" and keep speed up. Only when it is fully pulling again and you're comfortable on the windward start to head up, NOT before this time.

So in effect the spi is not pulling for something like 2 to 3 seconds when it is pulled out and that is it.

If you have to the leave the main in the upwind setting; maybe let the traveller out only some 10 inches. That sail in front, the spi, that is the most important thing. Get that right and all else will more or less fall into place EVEN if it is still on the upwind trim.

On downwind legs it is paramount to keep that spi pulling all the time. Flogging it or have the power switch from on to off and back regulary will really makes things wild very quickly. Keep that spi filled, keep it pulling and follow it where it wants to go. Only resists its nature when you are looking to heat it up or when you know what you are doing.

Best is to work up skills in 10 knots or so and then slowly move up to more winds. Funny enough you get the hang off pretty quick that way. Once you know the few basic facts and do's/don'ts then it becomes quite easy.

Wouter

Wouter