By Eric Williams · BDA Magazine 2005 Annual, p. 24
↓ Readable PDF↓ Original pages (scan)
A checklist for racing a Dragon in heavy weather, in three parts. Preparation: check shackles, runners and blocks, clear the bilges, and carry a good towline as well as the anchor warp, plus lifejackets. Settings: set the boat up to be easy and fast, treat heavy weather helm as a sign of being overpowered, and de-power by flattening the main with the mast ram, raising the genoa barber and opening the main leech with the backstay. Techniques: ease the main before tacking and use the waves upwind; downwind, run slightly by the lee, gybe at maximum speed with the kicker eased, and flatten the spinnaker to stop rolling.
1. Prepare your boat
Check:
- shackles, runners and blocks
- bilges are clear of debris
- you have a good towline in addition to anchor warp
- lifejackets
2. Settings
Set to be easy and fast.
Heavy weather helm shows the boat is overpowered and slow.
- depower the rig by flattening the mainsail with the mast ram
- raise genoa barber
- use the backstay to open mainsail leech
3. Techniques
Upwind
- ease the main before tacking
- use the waves to help pull the bow round in the tack
- allow extra at the lay lines to avoid tacks and to ease off for greater speed
Downwind
- running slightly by the lee is fast and allows you to use the waves… but take care and practise first!
- gybe when speed is maxed
- ease the kicker before the gybe, in flat water
- flatten spinnaker by sheeting in and pulling in barber to stop rolling
Originally published as “Technical Tips 7 – Heavy Weather” in the BDA Magazine 2005 Annual. © Eric Williams and the British Dragon Association. Reproduced with permission.
← Back to the Technical Library