Sailed my tornado in really lights winds last weekend in a ten boat fleet of mixed boats from lasers to cats to a 26 footer. The winds were so light we were towed to the start line. Long story, short version. Place third overall and first in cat class. Need some tips to sail fast in low wind. My first question is daggerboards, I did not put them in the casing. Should I have installed them and kept in up position or lowered. I moved crew and myself far forward to reduced stern drag. What about sail tension etc? Thanks for advice!

Can't really help you as to what to do vis-a-vis light wind technique. I was always told, light winds: loose sails. Take that with a grain of salt.

Mostly want to know where you are located. I also have a tornado (wooden hulls, classic rig) and am located in Golden BC. I usually sail on lake Windemere in Invermere. You ever out this way?

Thanks

Upwind: daggerboards down
Downwind: without spi up, with spi I don't know for the T...
Sail trim: Upwind: watch the telltales and keep them flowing, in general the main sheet will be tight but not too much, some downhaul. Downwind: no downhaul and again watch the telltales.
Boattrim: Exactly, keep the sterns out of the water. Place the crew to leeward hull. Maybe yourself as well, if you can fly a hull with that. Move carefully around during gybes and tacks.
In general build: apparent wind and don't lose it. Have luck and patients.

Cheers,

Klaus

I sail alot of light air races in the summer on the Great Lakes.

1 Keep air flow going over the sails
2 Reduce your wetted surface
3 Be very gentle with the boat
4 Concentrate,concentrate
You will find light air races more demanding than racing in a breeze.

Fred S

ditto. weight low and forward. centerboards down. Keep the air attached to the sail. No radical movements (weight, rudder, sails).

When you talk light wind, I'm thinking less than 5 knots.

one crew on high side, one crew on low side. both near front beam. Don't switch sides during tacks. either hand off tiller or drive from leeward side and look under sails.

Moderately loose sails (twist off top of main) and watch the backside telltales. light to medium downhaul, full rotator (between shroud and front beam)

downwind same thing. if you can't keep the spinnaker full it is probably better to drop it and head straight down to C gate. If you can keep it inflated, don't heat up too high trying to get the hull up or you'll be missing VMG. I think the "break point" is right at 5-7 knots where going hot starts to pay big dividends..

I sail on Lake "Lac La Biche" NE of Edmonton by 2.5 hours. I have a cabin there and leave the boat setup by the water. Not many sailboats on this lake however I gave my neighbor a try on the T and he liked it so much he bought one! The summer has been a quick sailing school for him. I don't travel too much with the boat as setup and takedown and travel times are too much.

Thanks Fred! I grew up in Burlington and sailed maily from Spencer Smith Park boat launch!

key on what the upper most telltales are doing. what wind there is is usually up there...............

Congrats on a well deserved 3rd place in a big heavy cat, you did well against lightweight lasers and other classes which are very responsive to minor wind puffs.

The most satisfying race I sailed was with very light wind in a fleet of T's, A class and other cats. Those skippers who weren't used to actively looking for wind just sat there while those who kept their eyes out for darker patches or ripples on the water and felt their boat speeds sailed around the holes and made it to the finish line.

One thing is to ensure your sails stay shaped correctly and drawing by having your weight leeward and mainsheet tight enough any thrust translates to boat movement.
No sudden moves or weight shifts.

It was amazing how switched on skippers cleared out from the pack and fought their way neck and neck to the finish. Big grins all around on finishing.