Argentine Optimist

Notes, tips, papers to help you improve your optimist sailing technique.

(optimist español) (Optimist blog)

Note: this is not the Argentine Association website AOA ! To go there follow this link
www.optimist-argentina.org

Who write this ? Diego Ravecca
Argentine optimist coach

Optimist Boat Handling

Introduction

Boat Handling involves any movement we make on board to get the high speed possible everytime. Warning! we are allways talking about allowed movements according ISAF 42 Rule (Propulsion). This is a complex point in Optimist Class,there are diverse interpretations, please check ISAF Call Books and Rule 42 ISAF Videos.

Concepts

The Optimist is very sensitive to every movement, especially the ones from the rudder and the adjustments to the mainsheet.

Why should you do the right movements?

During the windward leg, waves are the principal obstacle for speed. With the right body movements you can thwart the main effect. But only a good combination between the movements and the ones of the mainsheet could make our boat go faster.

As a general rule, we can say that it is necessary to move only the torso to stern and a little bit outside the boat, and then return slowly to the initial position. "The going to the stern" position should be made quickly, and when you return to the initial position you should made that in a slowly way.

The right moment to do this movement is when the optimist is falling from the wave to hit the next wave. Because of that, when the bow falls you start the move.

How you should use the mainsheet

Because of the sail shape, the mast and the peak strenght, there is a particular situation at the Optimist Class. The mainsheet is joinned in a very close way to the leech. So, every mainsheet adjustment passes on the leech.
This condition makes a very important fact to know what to do with the mainsheet. It is practically equivalent to have the leech on the hand.

Let´s talk about the leech in close-hauled course. First of all, the generall idea is that the wind circulate on the sail and it doesn´t stay slowed down because of the closed leech. Thats the reason why it is important to ease a little the mainsheet (loose the leech) when the wind goes slower or when a gust comes.

It sounds rare to say that you should ease the mainsheet when a gust comes, but in fact if you pull in the mainsheet at that moment the boat goes down and don´t increase her speed.

The correct technique is to loose the mainsheet, wait afew seconds, and then pull the mainsheet in according the new inensity of the wind.

Another thing You have to notice in order to pass the waves, is that when you loose the mainsheet a little, the boat increases a lot its power. This is what you have to do When a highest wave is seen and can brake you.

It is very difficult to develop a feeling in the handling of the mainsheet, and that is a point that children dominate at the end, with a long time of sailing experience.I think that is a very important point for the boat's speed.

Goodbye

I hope you have enojoy this, if you have any coments or you need any kind of information, please write me or leave me a message to info@optimist.com.ar .

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