What should be done with the centreboard whilst gybing? I have heard it said that it should be raised to prevent the boat from "tripping over it", and also that it should be lowered to prevent roll. I havn't noticed a lot of difference either way but havn't really played around with it. Any thoughts anyone?

My take on this is if it's windy enough for the boat to trip over it you'll have raised it anyway and probably won't move it much at all.

Certainly if it's above about a F4 my board is never fully down.

make sure you centralise the rudder as the boom comes across otherwise you will broach

Are you saying when going up wind you have the board up in anything above a force 4?

Morning Craig,

Absolutely the board is up as the wind increases.

Rule of thumb is the more you rake the rig, the more you rake the board.  It is really surprising how little surface area you lose by raising the board, even as much as a third, and it makes a monster difference to the balance of the helm.  This is why many of the newest boats are installing the rope adjustment system for the c/b so that it can be balanced with the rig in the same way that the kicker/ lowers/ rig tension etc are adjusted.

Sailing lightish as you do, this will make a significant difference to you.

ATB

GGGGGGG

It's all about centre of effort. As the centre of effort of the rig moves back then so should that of the centreboard. In my 505 days we would have serious rake on the rig when it was howling and raising the board by a good bit really balanced the helm and made the boat much easier to drive upwind........gybing with that big kite was always fun though........!

Thanks Graham
Boat is going really well but have not travelled yet, beating the Fireballs over the water which is pleasing! we are talking about going to the Inlands along with Ozzis who bought a Merlin at the same time as us. Still trying to sell my Mirror and will sail it one last time (said this several times!) at the Nationals.

Please sign up to the Inlands on the web site, helps us to know in advance. See link below. Look forward to seeing you.

Just looking for accomodation near Queen Mary and found a new travel lodge that opens on the 10th September 2007. Its 3 miles away from Queen Mary and if you book now they are doing a special discount, you only pay £26.00 per room but it is non refundable. Sounds a bargain to me!

Craig whilst staying close to QM maybe what you want I need to make this very clear....

The Saturday Night party is at Cookham Sailing Club, there will be camping in the Club grounds (nominal fee to be advised) and there is local B&B's. The primary reason for centering the social night around Cookham was the camping and walking distance accomodation.

Although Cookham is some 20 miles from QM the journey is all M-Way/Dual carrigeway so takes about 20 minutes. 

Thanks

Sorry Alan us new comers don't know about the evening parties! I spoke with Ozzie last night and we will both be coming and meeting all you guys at Cookham.

Back to gybing another point seldom raised is gybing is best done going flat out surfing off a wave or planing as you are sailing generally away from the wind there is less strain all round. Sometimes surfing you can actually get zero wind over the deck! Job done!

Ask Mr Peter Impey??? My Temporary helm at Salcombe?? Kept kite flying Throughout every gybe we did??? He said was crewes work but Monsignour D ALSOP might disagree?? Its all About the balance of the boat and the direction of the stern through the wind?? Maybe I did actually listen to one of the Masters at Rutland training once??????????????

Someone told me that you always have a bit of centreboard, so that after the inevitable capsize you have something to climb on to right the boat!

Shouldn't be an issue, as the crew will be 'inside' the boat ready for recovery, probably bring the spinaker down whilt the boat is on its side, so the crew can pop the board down, although make sure the helms teeth are not in the way before wacking the board down (out).