Tuning Your Tanzer for Light Air
By Jim Chastain (T-420)
During the summer, when those
slow moving high pressure cells move across the country from the southwest,
there is a general expectation that we can save our heavy and moderate air
sailing techniques for the afternoon sea breeze or the isolated thunderstorm.
The good all around sailor must change gears and shift from exultation into
patience; light air sailing can be fun if you work at it, or frustrating if you
don't. For the Tanzer 16 light air can be considered 6 knots down to zero.
Preparation again is the key.
For light air sailing your rig must be set up to take full advantage of every
small breeze that happens by, and in the lulls you must concentrate on keeping
the boat aimed and moving in the proper direction. When stepping the mast
position it completely out of the deck slot. This will open up the slot
between the jib and mainsail and provide maximum efficiency and performance for
the low velocity conditions. Don't over tighten the shrouds and forestay; run
a loose rig. There is no need to use a downhaul or Cunningham, and the outhaul
on the mainsail should be rigged but fairly slack. You want the main to have
as much draft as possible; a few wrinkles on the luff and foot of the sail are
acceptable. Maintain approximately the same position for your jib block cars
as for optimum sailing conditions (moderate air), except you do not want the
jib sheeted in as tightly. Remove any excess purchase from your main sheet
system; the weight of the sheets can make subtle adjustments in sail trim
difficult. Make sure the halyards are tight when you raise the sails. The
forestay should sag and the mast lean forward a little when the jib halyard is
properly secured.
The objective for successful
light air sailing is threefold:
-
Find wind on the water and attain clear air. This is perhaps the single most
important concept. When starting behind other boats on the favored end of the
line you have dealt yourself a severe blow. Starting at the other end of the
line with clear air will put you miles ahead even though it is not the ideal
course. Tack to attain clear air if necessary; but don't hesitate to tack
toward the next puff.
-
Maintain proper balance and
attitude of the boat. Heel your boat slightly to leeward to reduce wetted
surface and help provide the proper shape in the sails for a good airfoil.
Gravity will help do what low wind velocity will not. Maintain proper balance
for a neutral helm and minimize movements in the boat that will disturb its
attitude relative to the set of the sails and wind direction.
-
Don't overtrim your sails! Ease
them out a little farther than you normally would in ideal wind conditions.
This usually will give better performance.
Other considerations in light air
sailing include minimizing your tacks to preserve boat speed, and footing off
the wind a little to attain greater boat speed. One effective method of
tacking is to use the "roll tack" where a rapid and deliberate
shifting of crew weight is made to keep the wind in the sails while changing
direction to preserve boat speed. In light air you run the risk of stopping
your boat completely with an incorrectly executed tack. Patience, concentration
and observance are critical. Look ahead for the catspaws on the water; try
and detect the direction and location of the next puff and be there. Do not
become over anxious and pinch to windward. Concentrate on sail trim and
balance.
Sometimes, no matter how much
skill and technique you use, there just isn't any way to make the boat go.
There's just no wind. That's when the sails are limp as rags, and you can spit
in the water and watch it float by for five minutes. There's only one thing left
to do to preserve your sanity: make the most of it! Pull out the jug of ice
water, or a cold beer. Or, if you're really ready to cool off, throw a line
over the side and take a dip. That will put a whole now perspective on your
situation! Just keep in mind that you're out there to have a good time. So
keep cool and relax!
As in utilizing the other special
techniques for heavy air and moderate air sailing, the techniques required for
successful light air sailing are attained only through practice and
experience. To be a good all around sailor, you must be willing to go out
under all weather conditions and learn to be master of your boat, and master of
yourself. Light air sailing tests your patience and persistence severely at
times; but practice and time spent sailing in light air are the best teachers.