Getting Stuck in Irons

I usually sail solo but i feel like when i have one or two more on the boat the boat nends to get stuck in irons more frequently. Also when the wind is pretty gusty and the water is choppy i get stuck as well. Is there a reason for this. And also do you guys just reverse the rudders and pull the sail forward?
Thanks,
Ryam

Your getting stuck in irons because you have more weight forward (with the extra people).

If you're sailing with a jib let it back fill on the new tack for a second or two before brining it to the new tack. This helps suck the bows around.

Once stuck in iron the only real way to get out is, like you said, reverse the rudders. Remember once you're stuck in irons you're moving backward so all you're steering is effectively reversed.

Tacking, like sailing in general, really is an art. However there are a few things that you have to keep in mind:
1. Pick you're spot, when the boat is moving, you're not in a gust and where you wont tack into a wave.
2. Go into the tack smoothly (not too hard on the tiller) and with speed.
3. Finish the tack a little heavier on the tiller (this will get the boat moving quicker out of the tack.
For you're problem the second point is the most important.

Hope it helps

Make sure the jib is uncleated and hand held as you go through the tack. IF you can't uncleat with weight in back you, will roll over backwards if you can't unlceat it fast enough in moderate wind. TRUST me, I lost Texas State in 81 by ONE point, because we could not uncleat the jib as we tried to climb the tramp as it SLOWLY rolled over on us. LOL LOL LOL

Doug

What kind of boat?
J

Freestyle 474, no jib.

AUS Cat, your exactly right with the forward weight, the only time i get stuck is additional weight in the front

for reversing 1st loosen the traveller

then grab the boom with 1 hand

and the rudder with the other and push BOTH in the direction you want to go

when the boat has backed round fully to the direction you want to go the pressure on the sail/boom will stop as the wind is now balanced across both sides

when that happens, let go of both and the boat will be dead in the water but pointing on the new tack

next, center the rudders and SLOWLY pull the traveller back about half way until you have some forward speed, now you can steer off a bit to build up even more speed

with good forward speed pull in the traveller the rest of the way to center and then steer back up again if wanted

practice this a couple of times, in each direction, every time you go out until it becomes 2nd nature

so you won't have to think about it when the sh't hits the fan

yesterday went out with a new hobie 16 owner and took him through a few backing drills after seeing him and his mate stuck in irons for a LONG time in a big wind the day before

as it was windy they had the traveller out but were trying to do SLOW 180degree tacks from reach to reach without bringing the traveller back to center or even point up

the result was predictably that they went into irons every time and the new owner was hating the boat

Hmm1 You might think about taking one of my sailing seminars, or reading my book, or better yet, the DVD of the seminars. Covers all of that and a lot more.
Rick

Raynm:

Trick to a uni is you must crack about 3 feet of sheet AS you go head to wins. Once I learned that I quit going into irons. I went into irons a LOT before I did. And I agree, Rick's material is AWESOME for a newbie.

God luck,

Doug

My wife sails a Hobie 14 she's named Seabiscuit because the first time out we found it very hard to tack (bad nautical pun there). After practicing weight transfer and timing sheeting out and back in as Rick describes in his videos, no problems. But, the boat is still named Seabiscuit.

Got anymore bootleg copies?

Right, Tawd. I don't want to ever get into a higher tax bracket.., like maybe make $20 a year.
Rick

Hey Rick,
That was for Doug. You know I buy all my Rick White material from the man himself. I've still got my autographed copy of your book from the seminar I took in '93.
Tawd

I have to agree with Doug. I was going into irons about half the time with my H16 until I started uncleating the main just as the boat rounded into the wind. It will work as a wind vain and keep you pointed in irons if you don't. Shifting weight to the back to get your bows out of the water will assist a little to help the turn. As you say you are sailing a uni-rig there is no jib to back wind, so speed, tiller control, weight distribution and main sheet adjustment are your tools. I was lucky in that I attended a seminar put on by TCDYC last spring. Chris Green came along side each cat in a power boat to observe and critique our skills. You might try to find a local "pro" in your area to help you this way.