Still having problems tacking my 1993 H-17 in medium/heavy air. Any of you H-17 sailors have any ideas?<br><br>X ( ain't lernt to rite yet)

Sam: Some ideas: Try to get close to the wind with good speed before you tack. Keep up the speed as you go through head to wind. Sheet out a little as soon as you come about. Fall off a little to get the boat moving on the new tack, move forward, then sheet in and head up. Do not cross under the boom until you are at least head to wind. Also try to hold the rudders steady as you carve through the turn. Good luck, let us know how it works out. Caleb<br><br>

Caleb, you took the words right out of my mouth...
<br>Sam: Listen to Caleb, he's got the idea!
<br>Andy<br><br>

hi samjr
<br>
<br>this is the way I tack on mi h-17;
<br>first of al get as high as posible upwind,sheet in as much as posible.
<br>2;start your tack by pusshing your tiller with increassing forche.
<br>3; after starting moving the tiller go to the back of your windward hull and stay there,this will bring your bows up
<br>4,just before you head up in the wind release your sheet,an am long, remember you are still turning
<br>5, cleat your sheet and move upwards to your front beam and then you sheet in, during this you must fall off almost to a reach for getting more speed.
<br>6, when you seeted in and have enough speed head up
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<br>sail fast
<br>
<br>mark.
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<br>(sorry mine english is not so good anymore)<br><br>

I would do as you say except for your first step. If you are too high upwind you won't be going as fast as you can. In preparation for tack I point downwind a bit to gain speed. As I turn up I will sheet in tight. The rest of your steps seem OK. I find that crossing the boom should be done only after you are underway or if you are about to capsize.
<br>Greg,
<br>H14,H16<br><br>

Some of you have part of it right but most of it wrong. I got Rick's Video of Upwind Sailing and Cat Roll Tacking and now I know how to do it right! You otta too!
<br>He says you should be going fast and close-hauled, main must be sheeted hard. Then you push the tiller with steadily increasing presser til the bows are going directly through the eye of the wind, and all that while you are moving to the back, windward afte corerner of the boat.
<br>As the boat is head to wind you release the sheet about 3 or 4 feet on the H17 (the main helps steer up and weathervane the boat into the wind, but if you leave it cleated it will try to keep it weathervaned.., also by easing you shift from high gear back down to second gear -- powering back up)
<br>You stay on the corner until the boat is on a close reach heading then switch helm and sheet hands, cross over and go forward quickly to get the boat moving. Once the boat starts to regain speed, sheet back in and head up.
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<br>All of this is shown over and over in the video with all the full information. You are crazy if you don't get all of Rick's videos.
<br>Evermore,
<br>Edgar<br><br>

Greg, I agree with staying as long as possible until you cross over, this helps rotate the boat and roll tack. But, wait too long and you will be practicing the righting drill. cat<br><br>

Like Poe's anbswer in more ways than one.
<br>
<br>As for capsizing, you are only there until on a close reach and you are ready to cross over, so not much chance in going over. Also, you have the mainsheet in your hand and can ease it out in case you are a bit slow in crossing and the hull begins to rise -- just ease out a bit of mainsheet.
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<br>Good luck and good sailing,
<br>Rick<br><br>Rick White
<br>Catamaran Sailor Magazine
<br>email: rick@catsailor.com

It has taken me over 25 years to learn to tack efficiently. Now that X-mas is around the corner I am hinting to my family that a few Rick White videos and books would speed up my learning. Spring won't come soon enough after that. By the way, Thanks for the forum Rick. It is very educational.
<br>Greg
<br>H14,H16<br><br>