When flying the kite in light weather (i.e. somebody's got to sit either side of the boat) where do the top crews sit?

Scrunched up to leeward by the front tank!!

I never understood that.  In every other similar class the crew sits to windward and concentrates on the kite, the helm runs from side to side to balance the boat and steers.  In the Merlin the driver just seems to sit there, is it anything to do with advancing years and arthritis, or is there a proper reason?

Lots of photos seem to show the crew lying on the floor, squinting up at the luff of the spinny through the gap by the mast.

As a generous helm, I always sit to leeward and give my crew a better view. I figure the kite deserved the most attention downwind. Especially on the run where the main just sits there.
But hey, we've not won anything yet...

I asked that question too, when I moved from GP14's to Merlins, as GP14 crews always sit on the windward side.

The answer I got was, you tend to get chaught out more and capsize when the Crew is on the Windward side, and I guess it is beacuse the helm has to move some 7 feet to shift if a gust hits, whereas if the helm is already perched to windward at the max beam, then the helm is better positioned to learn out a little with max leverage, if necessary giving time for the crew to wake up and step over the c/board.

The main reason to me seems to be that the crew in a merlin is usually always lighter than the helm, so with the weight of the crew and the sails against the weight of helm, the boat tends to be more naturally balanced.

Think I replied to Alan on this one before.  If you are helming from the leeward side your view of what is ahead of you is limited and your ability to shift in the event of a gust is less, so the windward side is the better one.  In the GP14 (I know because I've done it) there is absolutely no way you can see the spinny from the leeward side if you are crewing, wherever you go.  The crew can get a good view of the spinny luff from the leeward side in the merlin so there is no reason not to go there and as the helm usually owns the boat and calls the shots, comfort of crew is not high on the list of priorities.  Once it's blowing a bit and you need the weight back it's not scrunched in a heap on the floor anyway and once it's panic strap conditions you can get the crew standing behind the hoop looking heroic while the helm hikes out over the back of the transom

I've sailed both Hornets and Scorpions and found helming from leeward was comfortable, but it just doesn't feel right in the Merlin, which I guess must be down to the width.  However, Mike Mackie helms 3471 Savage from the leeward side in most conditions and doesn't seem to be at any disadvantage, so maybe it is just personal preference.

Thanks for the ammo guys, I'm now going to discuss it with my crew (after she's cooked dinner!)

I have experienced exactly what Alan told me last year - got caught out on the wrong side of the boat and swam......

Whatever works & feels right to you is right.What works for others might not be correct for you so Try both,analyse it logically & perfect it.

My biggest problem as a helm with being on the wrong side of the boat is that it's virtually impossible to get my weight further forward than the back edge of the thwart.  It just feels so unnatural for me to sail the boat from that position.

And just to negate some of Andrew's theories.
I own the boat.
I'm heavier than Natalie (Helm).
I still prefer being scrunched up to leeward. :-)

much heavier than me! :p

Quite a few people at clubs sit the crew to windward. I find it doesn't work because:

1) When on the leeward side there is a tendancy to allow the boat to heel. It feels more comfortable.

2) Especially with the new spinnakers the acceleration and take off rate of a Merlin makes it impossible to bear off, cross the boat and ease the main in one movement. Yes, 505s manage, they also have a gorilla crew and a trapeze.

3) You can see the kite perfectly in a Merlin from the leeward side so there is no reason to compromise on the boat handling.

As i said a lot of club yotters perch the crew to windard, but very few do it on the circuit. Everything is done for a reason.

In lighter winds I sit in front of the thwart on the lee side while my crew works the kite and balance and gives me loads of verbal. We win at club level and at regattas in h/cap but my style may be due to a history of sailing larks,fireballs,505 etc. It all seems to depend on helm/crew weight distribution and what feels right. I have never gone glug because of this as if there is any doubt then I stay high (famous last words)

"comfort of crew is not high on the list of priorities"
ANDREW REALLY!!!!
You have obviously never crewed...

Mags, I have indeed crewed, though only at Hampton and only then when a helm was sufficiently desperate to require 14st on the windward gunwale!  Once you have actually got into the required position in the leeward bilges it's not that bad, the trouble is you can never stay there for very long and getting out of it again if you are my size is not all that easy.  The manouevre is generally speeded up by the ingress of water over the gunwale above your head which seems to improve one's focus on moving

Andrew

Thus is it all the more important to consider the crews needs, and treat them well! Tsk tsk, we'll have crew-bashing next...something I haven't seen since my days in Cadets.

As a crew I feel the need to comment!

Tom and I are pretty much the same weight, so the heavier member on the windward gunwale isn't neccesarily an argument.  Basically, I sit to leeward because it is generally gives the best compromise.

i) Tom can sit to windward and have a better ability to look for gusts etc coming from behind.  It also enables him to judge distances and waves better because he has an unimpinged view of what's going on.

ii)  Whilst I wouldn't say I have 'a perfect view', the view of the kite is usually OK, unless it is a tight reach in light winds.  If it is fairly light, but gusty, then I find that it is easiest to stand-up as this enables more rapid movement around the boat.

iii)  It is much easier for Tom to get forward on the windward side, without getting the tiller involved with the mainsheet etc, and then quckly move back if there is a gust or a wave.  It also makes it easier for him to pull the strings.

iv)  If the leg is quite broad, or a run, then the crew might need to get behind the hoop.  In my opinion, and I know this has been discussed on here before, it is GENERALLY easier for the crew to move under the main to the back of the boat without upsetting the balance of the boat.

I think part of the reason that other classes don't do it is purely because there isn't enough room at the front of the boat for the crew to get out of the way of the kicker, mainsheet etc.

Anyway, just a few suggestions.  All we really want though is it to be windy enough, and the course to be such, that we can be flat out planing without anyone having to be to leeward?!

My last year's crew is 6ft 4in and did not have a problem sitting down in the leeward hole to fly the kite which he did quite well.  In light winds, he even stayed there when pulling in the spinnaker and the helm got the pole off.

It does work as you can get weight further forward in light winds and keep the boat flatter so going faster.  When its windy, the problem solves itself!

Windward leeward whatever works for the two of you! However do the class rules permit a high window so#s you can see the kite leech - luff thru the main say at spreader height? Just a thought!

Where was your new crew sitting on Sunday when you steamrolled everyone?

DT, yes they do, or they did, 'cos we tried this in 1977 on 3107, following a lot of bitching from yours truly about sitting to leeward. Only trouble was it didn't really work, the window position needs to be VERY close to the jib luff.too close in fact to put up with hondo amounts of luff tension. However, that was in the dark ages before Mylar film, so it might be worth a try now......

Yes you can - we tried it last season, or maybe the season before.  It kind of worked, but I didn't find it that great.  Davo and Glen tried it afterwards, but I'm not sure if they're still using it or not.

A Jib window does help but only in very specific conditions and points of sail.

I have one as i've got Davo's sails from last year. I'm not bothered either way about having one again.

In my day we used to have nice little side seats for the crew (and helm) to sit on.

............and drinks holders!

Crew was sitting right forward on c/b case as there was enough wind for me to sit up on sidedeck and balance the boat.  I may also have been a little kind as I was winning anyway!

I'd guess that the ideal canbnot be achieved with the limited options, but if you sail really deep (by the lee)rolled over to windward the crew to windward makes more sense but do Merlins benefit from being sailed that way?

No - remember flat is fast!

We're talking about light wind here, where leaning the kite a little to windward helps it take a better shape.

BTW Nice kite Richard, We did notice :)

Most european classes seem to favour a heal to windward down wind in any weather.

Flat is fast - heel makes for more drag in light winds.

A little heel can reduce the wetted area though

But surely a lot more drive will overcome a bit more drag! That Dane Elvestrom knows a thing or two!

As far as I understand it a little windward heel can help things in a few ways, but generally only down the run, not the reaches.  It can reduce wetted area in certain conditions.  It also moves your wind shadow to windward if you a trying to roll somebody - just look in eric twiname's team racing book or any text on match racing.  However, I think the most important effect is that it reduces the need for rudder input, and therefore drag.  Down the run I try and use the kite to do the subtle bits of the steering so that the tiller can stay in a neutral position.  If you go out and try you can quickly appreciate how much control over the boat the crew can exert with his guy!

As far as I understand it a little windward heel can help things in a few ways, but generally only down the run, not the reaches.  It can reduce wetted area in certain conditions.  It also moves your wind shadow to windward if you a trying to roll somebody - just look in eric twiname's team racing book or any text on match racing.  However, I think the most important effect is that it reduces the need for rudder input, and therefore drag.  Down the run I try and use the kite to do the subtle bits of the steering so that the tiller can stay in a neutral position.  If you go out and try you can quickly appreciate how much control over the boat the crew can exert with his guy!

Important point there Chris - worth saying twice!

Exactly! Do they set reaches these days anyway?

Just had a small falling out with my crew, when I purchased my boat it had a wooden thwart fitted, obviously as an after thought. Although it looked good enough, the rest of the hull is FRP.
 I have just removed the said item and my crew has to now do as all you guys do. It leads me to believe that I have been careing for him too much!! He is not happy but the boat both looks better and I feel better ( more room etc) Dont think I have seen any other plastic Merlins with a thwart?

I wish my (wooden) boat had a thwart...I'm sure it makes life easier sliding from side to side in lighter breezes.

Tom

Just be careful the your boat does not fold now that you have removed the thwart!! It is an integeral part of the structure of the craft. You will note on the new FRP boats the thwart, whilst appears to be absent, it is engineered to be functional from a structurtal perspective.

I'm just imagining him crying whilst his crew stands back p*****g laughing himself saying "I told you so"

Thwarts aren't as evil as top battens

Be carefull,
The Plastic Turner Tales all had thwarts!

Suspect we are discussing an FRM NSMII

FRP sorry

Thanks for the concern guys but the previous owner has been in touch to tell me that he added it for comfort only, the boat was designed without. Wonder how sexy a carbon one would look though? It is an NSM2 by the way.

I must admit, I will miss trimming the kite from the windward side of the boat this weekend, I won't be able to get a firm hold of the guy for some serious wave pumping action!!  Having said that, I can't wait to get back in a Merlin - it actually planes!!

As a helm......Thank goodness for hoops to hang on to with my other hand when it's gusty!!!!!! 
But both hiking out on a screaming spinnaker reach is always best.