Mullingar Sailing Club

8.0 Windward mark Rounding (onto a run)

Mark Rounding

As mentioned when rounding on a reach it is important that you know who does what in the boat.

Remember your check list:

Twining line.
Centre board
Kicker
Outhaul.
Downhall
Jibsheet
Spinnaker Pole
Spinnaker catching on jib

When approaching the windward mark going onto a run there is a simple rule which must be remembered;

“If you on a lift on starboard tack coming up to the mark it means that you should gybe when you get around.”

Gybing Hoist

If you have to gybe this means as you bear off around the mark, lift the centreboard halfway, gybe and after this it probably means a windward hoist.

To windward hoist a spinnaker gather the spinnaker and count with your helm so that they can hoist as you throw the gathered spinnaker around the front stay. If the spinnaker is twisted, grab the two feet (tack and clew) separate them and pull them apart.

Put the pole up ensuring that you push the pole out to the side. While doing this the helm should be able to fly the kite. As we said before, the faster you can get the spinnaker filled the better. Remember to sail the boat around the mark and through the gybe and hoist.

Bear Off Hoist

If your approaching the mark on starboard and your on a head, it’s going to be a bear off hoist, swap and set your pole as you approach the mark.

Spinnaker Shape

The correct spinnaker shape is very important, as is keeping the pole as far around as possible. It is also very important that the pole is kept steady while on the run.

(Remember the loose rule of thumb, your pole should be roughly in line with the boom).

Wind

Watch the wings for wind as it may pay to reach out to it, gybe and reach back to the mark.

Boat trim on a Run

Light / Medium Winds; crew should be to windward on the stay, (as far forward as possible). Helm sitting to leeward on deck or on inside seat.

It is important on a run that you don’t rock the boat. If the boat becomes unstable, particularly happens in waves, you may need to put down some extra centreboard.

Heavy Winds; In heavy wind the crew can sit in the centre with the helm sitting up. (You may have to get your weight back slightly in the boat in waves to stop the nose of the boat diving).

Windshifts

On Starboard     + Numbers mean a Header (Gybe)

On Port        - Numbers mean a Header (Gybe)

Watch your birdie all the time and keep trying to get your pole around.

If you tack on seven windshifts up the beat, you should be gybing approximately seven times downwind.

Gybing (Run to Run)

Gybing from run to run should be a lot easier than gybing from a reach to a reach as the turning angle is much smaller.

You should be able to gybe the boat with very little tiller movement by rolling the boat.

1) Before you roll the boat make sure your helm has both the guy and sheet.

2) Put the centerboard down ¾ way.

3) Roll the boat to windward.

4) Let off jib and set the twinning lines as your gibing.

5) Gybe the pole.

6) The helm should be able to have the spinnaker flying long before the pole is set.

7) Take the guy and sheet from the helm and take your seating positions in the boat.

8) Make sure the centerboard is lifted again.

9) Ensure your not sitting on the windward jibsheet.

You should be able to gybe from a run to run without the spinnaker flapping at all.

Pumping

Pumping is only really carried out in upper medium to heavy wind conditions on the run.

Finish

If the finish is on a run always pick a side of the line to finish as generally either the committee boat or finishing mark, one or other will be closer. This can be easily called in a club race as the finish line is often the start line. Otherwise you’ll have to practise calling it.

Tactics

Tactics on the run can be hugely important. It is possible to out manoeuvre other boats by good boat handling and tactics. This requires good communication between the helm and crew. Again an awareness of what boats are around you, readiness to gybe at any moment and good boat handling are critical in these situations.