On my nacra F18 I have a very light full-carbon tiller extension, I think it is a JJB-stick.(I'm not sure, but probably like this one )

I like it because of it’s weight (485grams), but sometimes it can drive me crazy. If I rotate it into the right position, than it is locked, but it is strange that possible to over-rotate (easily), and it will be unlocked again.

It also caused me capsize...

Is it normal with this joystick? Any suggestion ?

ps: sorry for my English

Hello Sanyi -

That stick is supposed to work like that - it unlocks in BOTH directions. I understand that many Tornado skippers like this stick, but it is very pricey (expensive). I prefer the much less expensive carbon Arriba stick you can find here.

Good luck - you've got the Ferrari, if you can get used to it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I second JW - the carbon/carbon arriba stick is unbeatable.

I have that stick on the Infusion and it takes a bit of getting used to after the arriba stick. You can just keep twisting and twisting and not know where the lock position is. this leads to muttering at the back of the boat and the 'what are you playing at' look from the crew!
Sometimes it does not seem to lock very well, but I have told myself that if I need to push the tillers that hard, I'm not sailing properly.
I try and get it extended before i wire it at the leeward mark to cut out any error.

Will we see the first hungarian F18 entry at the Europeans in Como next year?

Paul GBR7

Thanks guys,

It is clear for me now this stick generally working like mine, it is not a special problem of my one.

I also try to tell myself I do not have to push/pull too hard, but I think sometimes it is not true, and really not safe. This is also not a good think the helmsman have to work on “is it in locked or not”. I think locking/openinng have to be an automatic movement “in my hand”, without thinking about it. I prefer concentrate to the race instead.

Now I have two options,
- My local dealer can change it for a conventional nacra stick for free
- Or I try to learn how to use it. I’m not sure I will be able to...

Paul, about Como,
It is possible to see me there, I hope. However I fell myself really beginner, it is my first year with F18… A Hungarian team raced last year the F18 worlds in NL. They finished in the silver fleet, and they beat me usually, so if I will be there probably I will carry the “End of fleet” table…

I have not found any information about the Europeans 2007 on the web. Could you please drop me a link ?

Thanks,

Sanyi,
The Sec. General of F18 world council made the anouncement that the euros would be at Como in 2007, at the UK nationals last week. He did say a date, I think it was June. I guess that stuff will appear on the web shorty

paul

Or sell it on eBay (or perhaps someone on this forum would make you an offer).

From the F18 World Championships meeting minutes:

7. The Italian bid for the Europeans in 2007 was accepted and the dates fixed as July 8th to 14th 2007.The venue in Dervio on Lake Como.



www.f18-international.org/

Sanyi -

DON'T take a straight-up trade for that stick - it costs more than TWICE as much as the carbon Arriba stick, and even more than that for the standard fiberglass Arribas that come with Nacras here in the US. You should get more than just an even trade. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good luck -

Tillers are a personal preference. Use what you like.

I use the same type of stick you have. It will take some time for you to figure out how to best use it. I adjust mine constantly but that took over a year to figure that out.

After a while you can tell by the feel how to lock or unlock. If you get in a bad situation just rotate it in any direction until it locks or unlocks. If you get debris in it rotating it a couple of turns will usually clear it.

I have found the JJB and the similiar Marstom to be more reliable and much stiffer than the Arriba Carbon

Well, I can't speak to the JJB or Marstrom,

but I know that the Arriba Carbon dragged Trey's butt through the water when a wave knocked him off the back on many occassions.

I have found that using a long, skinny stick that does not adjust, like you see on most A cats, saves me from having to mess with the adjustable stick, and it's quite a bit lighter too. Yes, it is long and you have to learn how to throw it about when tacking but once you get used to it you will never capsize while messing with the locking mechanism! I think in the end, less is more.

Where can you get the long skinny one piece sticks?

They come stock on the Capricorn, so I'm sure AHPC has them.

I sail solo and will soon need a longer stick (as the actress said to the bishop) because of wings. What do you do with a single piece unit when trying to get up front and keep the stern out of the water??!!

You need a long stick to get long enough up front in light winds. I have a telescoping unit on the Tornado, but when tacking/gybing in light stuff I dont bother with shortening it. If you just pay a bit attention where you are waving it around and dont let it get caught on trapeeze wires, diamond stays, centerboard hoops etc. you dont need to shorten it. After a while, you dont need to look up as you know where to route it while manouvering.
Helming with it can be a bit awkward as you can not make large corrections, but you get used to that also. Besides, you dont want to make large rudder movements anyway <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I found the long, skinny, non-telescoping stick (ala TheMightyHobie18 Magnum) to be a PITA to get around the shrouds, and back, on the downwind leg. And if you fall off into the stick, they'll crack or snap. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

It is a bit old question, but still open for me:

I browsed the f18-internationakl.org but found nothing about the Europeans in 2007.

Miss I something ?