This was another successful workshop with 22 attendees from 9 clubs in the M&S District.

As noted in the email during the week, an excellent book on SAIL TRIMMING was recommended and some of the illustrations were used to explain how sails create the forces that drive a boat and the wind flow around them (Eric Twiname’s ‘Start to Win’, available from Amazon). Although describing the forces involved and what to do with the sails on an IOM and his new Marblehead, UPROAR, Roger produced an A4 page with the relevant diagrams on one side and an upgraded SAIL TRIMMING advice sheet on the other, based on the one on the Handbook pages of MYA Knowledge Base. For those that were not able to be at the workshop a PDF is attached for your information, along with a page giving details of a very simply made 1 gram wind indicator.

The workshop included how to test and improve the mast rake to get the best balance from the rig, the effect of both sails on how the boat sails and ‘feels’, sail camber, mast bend, boom angles, mainsail twist, jib twist etc.

At the coffee/tea break there was a great deal of discussion, which was obviously enjoyed by all, as it was almost embarrassing to call the meeting to order to continue the workshop; the answering of questions, how to test the sail trim on the bank before putting it in the water, further information exchange, a little bit on the design philosophy behind UPROAR and the unanswered question about why the lower rig’s mast position is behind the centre line of the fin. Unfortunately time was running out and we did not do the promised critique of 2 IOMs brought to the meeting. If the owners bring them next time Hugh and Roger can do the critique then.

The next Workshop is on Friday 27th of March with the subject:
Friday 27 March – RACING RULES, STRATEGY and TACTICS: this workshop will concentrate the mind and help focus on the new season’s racing. This will cover how to get round the course quickly, situations to avoid and tactics to use to improve your position in the fleet.
We look forward to seeing you!

Cheers, Roger