GeoffS
Member
I'm not a lightweight, but many of the students in my Laser lessons are. I'm having trouble describing the best techniques for handling the boat (esp. upwind). I'm fine with the normal depowering techniques, but I really have a hard time describing the best way for someone in the 100-130 lb range to sail upwind when they are tremendously overpowered (say in 15 kns of wind with the full rig).
I'm particularly interested in any ways people have for helping students find the proper balance between easing the sail, and falling off to keep the speed up. It seems that most of my lightweight students end up on a close reach (a good 10 degrees below my upwind course) when they try and balance keeping the boat flat, and not slowing down too much.
The club doesn't own a Radial or 4.7 rig yet; I'm hopeful that we will get one of each next year.
Cheers,
Geoff S.
145234
I'm particularly interested in any ways people have for helping students find the proper balance between easing the sail, and falling off to keep the speed up. It seems that most of my lightweight students end up on a close reach (a good 10 degrees below my upwind course) when they try and balance keeping the boat flat, and not slowing down too much.
The club doesn't own a Radial or 4.7 rig yet; I'm hopeful that we will get one of each next year.
Cheers,
Geoff S.
145234