Sunday, October 1, 2006, first trip to Long Beach, CA (Claremont Launch Ramp) with my new VMI Blade, sail number 720. This is probably the first CA Blade. I haven't heard of any other deliveries out here yet. Got a late start for the beach, so it was noon by the time I arrived at the launch area. Took my time rigging as it was the first time it was to go into the water and first time I was launching from a beach solo. After a false start, forgot the rudder safety clips, I took a deep breath and pushed out through the small surf. Wind was light from the SSW. Sailed around getting the feel of the boat (significant weather helm, too much or not enough rake?). After about 40 minutes I could feel the wind starting to build and I decided to go reaching. It was a blast. The boat seems incredibly smooth compared to my former ride, Shark, US421. Almost no spray until the spinnaker pole bridle hits the water (lee hull bow nearly submerged). When the bow did dig into a wave, the boat just slowed somewhat, rose and took off again. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Broad reached in toward shore on Port and decided to go to Stbd to scream down parallel to beach and show off my speed to the only other boat around, a Hobie 16 that had just landed. Boy did I show off ...
I sort of got tangled up in the tiller and mainsheet and before you could say it, I was beyond the point of no return. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> First capsize in at least 26 years!
Needless to say, I hadn't rigged the retrieval line so there was no way I was getting the boat back upright by myself anytime soon.
Good news, the Blade didn't turtle, bad news, it sails on it's side faster than some boats do upright.
In no time at all it had covered the 100 yds or so to the beach. I had time to get it rotated so the mast was generally upwind, the rudders were in up position and the lower daggerboard was pushed up into the trunk. I didn't get time to get the high one. As the hull came within what I figured was standing depth of the beach, I bailed out and grabbed the mast. Fortunately the mean water level was about chest high and I could pretty much hold my position.
I started walking toward the beach while raising the mast higher. A passerby saw my plight and helped me lower the boat into the surf where I was able to get the nose pointed out and walked it down the beach about 50 yds to where I had launched.
No significant damage was done and I should be back for my next lesson next weekend, probably after reading up on jibing techniques again and shortening the tiller extension to something more managable than the as delivered 8 ft. Anyone have suggestions regarding optimum length of tiller extension? How about singlehanded jibing of main?
I don't even plan to try popping the chute until I'm real comfortable with the boat.
John, Newbie Blade 720, Orange County, CA

John GOOD TIMES!

As far as the tiller goes, think twice about cutting it down. I prefer a longer tiller than a shorter. It just gives you more room when you are out on the wire. Also if you plan on sailing UNI-rigged you will need a longer tiller extension because you should be trapping further foward. Remember weight placement is extremely important on these light weight rocket boats.

As far as gybing, like any other sailor would say, start the gybe fast and get it over with fast. I say "get in and out fast" Makes the gybe so smooth and quick it will be over and a done deal in a matter of maybe two or three seconds.

Hi John,

Congratulations. I'd love to get together sometime for some F16 blasting around and would be happy to show you what I've discovered--after taking some lumps--about solo jibing and solo spinnaker sailing.

I wouldn't shorten your tiller extension yet--I'll measure mine, but you might find the length handy as you figure out the boat. Check out the length of Paul's in the photo (he's USA 300; I'm USA 297).

Congratulations on your choice of boat, John! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (Well, at least the F16 part of it!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

The first 'secret' to gybing these boats is DO NOT OVERSTEER. By that I mean gybe through as small an angle as possible and keep your speed up. It is actually easier to gybe with the kite than without. The main is already almost in the centre of the boat and therefore your gybing angle is very small. As the main comes over, resist the urge to continue your turn, instead straighten up immediately, get yourself sorted AND THEN start to power up again. After a while the process becomes more natural (and faster).

If you're sailing downwind without spin, your main will obviously be further out. In this situation bring the main in as you gybe and still keep your angle small. Let the main out once you're sorted and starting to heat the boat up again. Hope this helps.

John

You can always use the main halyard as a rigting line. Unpack it, throw it over the high hull and off you go.

As has already been said, gybing is easier with the spinnaker up. It's also easier with more boat speed as this reduces the apparent wind onto the back of the boat, and means the main will go across more gently.

My technique for gybing is as follows (I think most of this is pretty standard) Kneel facing backwards with the mainsheet blocks in front of you. Change the tiller from one hand to the other first, then put your old tiller hand around the mainsheet between the blocks, and pull it to the centre of the boat. As it starts to come across, move your hand from the sheet between the blocks, and hold it where it goes through the cleat. You can then let the mainsheet run through your hand, controlling the speed that it goes across, rather than having it bang against the stop on the other side.

One thing to note is that if you started with the traveller out, then the place that you kneel is actually on the leeward side of the boat. This is quite handy as it puts your weight in right place for when the main goes across.

Sailing with a spinnaker you can forget most of the above: leave the traveller centred and concentrate on getting the spin sheeted quickly on the other side.

Regarding the tiller, as everyone else has said: don't cut it. Going upwind, you should be trapezing with your feet near the shrounds, and you'll find that you need most of those 8' to steer from there. I use an extendable tiller extension. This is for two reasons: firstly, it stops me from poking the crew in the face when I'm sat in and she's trapezing, and secondly, our rigging area is often pretty crowded and it's all too easy to leave an 8' carbon tiller dangling off the side of the boat as you pull it past other boats. This can be expensive.

Paul

Shorter tiller extensions tend to get trapped more in life jackets (pfd) and tee shirts etc. There is nothing worse than going into either a tack or gybe to find your tiller extension poking through an item of clothing. So the longer it is the less likelihood of this happening. I would agree with everyone else regarding Gybing, it's all about being confident, the faster the boat is going the easier it will Gybe. Always avoid gybing when the boat is slowing down. One technique I have adopted recently is to pass the tiller extension around the back of the mainsheet (kneeling down) and resting it on the leeward hull, now I start to pull the tiller to initiate the gybe. Once the boat starts turning I start to twist my body round, swaping mainsheet hands to face forward (sitting down) and pick up the tiller with my free hand.
P.S. Great choice of boat, a couple of dozen capsizes and you'll become a true F16 Sailor.

I find that throwing the tiller extension over the transom and letting it trail behind during a gybe is best, don't have to worry about it then until you're starting to get going again.

I also find that adjustable tiller extensions are a pain in the butt, they always seem to slide at the wrong time, but maybe that's just me.

But agree with the rest, fast is best for gybing. Scary the first time but once you've done a good one, you'll never go back to slow gybes.

John,

Welcome to the club !

Please put your pin on our global presence map at :

www.frappr.com/formula16classgroup


Personally I would keep the tiller at the given length. You need it that long when trapezing upwind singlehandedly. Also it is the lighest and most dependable setup after you get used to it. This allows you to quickly pick the stick up out of the water during fact gybes etc. When sailing with a crew learn to lay the tiller on your shoulder and steer like that. That solves the "poking eye out" syndrom completely and allows you to occasionally use both hands without dropping the tiller.

There should not be major weatherhelm on the boat. Either your rudders are not kicked under sufficiently or you have to much mast rake. Make sure your rudder are rotating fully forward when you cleat them. Check by putting your hand in the water and pull the board forward.You probably need to rotate the rudder boards down quickly so the momentum will kick them fully under. Do you have a rod or line system for locking your rudders into place ?

Wouter

My question is are there telescopic tillers used in the F16 world? and aren't they better to use? long when needed out on the trapeze or short when you are on the tramp.?

My new boat has a telescopic tiller, and All the boats I've had have had them and they are excellent.

Yep, and I've got one on my Blade - it was an option when I bought it. I understand why people like fixed as they are much lighter, but personally I prefer the extendable ones, and find them easy to use.

Paul

On our first cat (Dart 18) we had a ronstan extendable tiller and it was light and worked well, on the Nacra 6.0 we have the standard Nacra extendable tiller and that goes well also.
So I think I try the standard Blade one first on my new Blade, but if I don't like it I mount an extendable tiller.

Extendable tillers are great as long as they don't extend when you don't want them to - when you get a big gust down wind for example....

Straight forward 2.5m carbon, that's the job.

Guys:

The trick to a good telescoping tiller is you MUST clean them EVER time you use them. IF sand are dirt gets in they WILL lock up. Fill the bath tub with water and put a little dish soap at cork end. Pump till all the crap is out. Mine is going on 7 years and just as good as new.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
"Stress Free" #007

P.S. With wings I have no choice. Must be adjustable!!

The Spitfires are one-design, and have a long carbon tiller extension - never been a problem for me. They are so light they are easy to use. I also have a Hot Stick telescopic carbon tiller extension on my Nacra - now that IS heavy and comes undone at all the wrong moments. A friend has the same on his Nacra - he's used it with no problems, until he lost it and had to use a lightweight fixed one - which he loved!

Thanks for all the good advice fellows.
I'll post some pictures when I've had a chance to get some and develop them.
I'll stick with the fixed length tiller extension for a while and get hot on learning how to sail again.
Not this weekend since family events take precedence, but, as our Governor has been heard to say, "I'llbeback".
John <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />