Spinnaker Drills – Cruising
Last Friday I had the Can Opener doing spinnaker drills double time quick on the foredeck of our buddy Cap’n André’s boat.
The three of us cruised over to Langstone Harbour for the day, put the assymetric up and joyfully tweeked the sail controls all the way to maximise our speed.
A truly fantastic day. Not one thing I’d change about it. No sir-ee.
In the past, the Can Opener’s been skipper more often than not. So finetuning his skills on the foredeck is one of the many priorities I have for him. He worked like a trooper and I must say I was tolerably pleased with his performance.
When we’re out alone, he’ll be the one attending to the sail changes so it’s critical he gets it right… right after he finishes sautéing my fresh-caught fish juuuuust the way I like it.
Spinnaker Drills – Cruising vs Racing Performance
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| The number 1 racing spinnaker |
On Saturday and Sunday, the Can Opener and I relocated to an ocean racer – delightfully named Cougar – to do a Junior Offshore Group race from Hamble to Poole and back again.
Great to be with a new team of eight, all stalwart men and women with a nostalgia and passion for racing that matches our own. The Can Opener was once again assigned to the foredeck – fantastic!
Saturday had whisper light winds; Sunday produced a steady 18 knot breeze. I was thrilled that he could get practice in on varying wind speeds and on different deck set ups.
Every time you get on a new boat, you find a different set up. Lines laid differently, winches and fittings configured in new and interesting ways. Lots of new stuff to consider and file away in the old mental recesses for when we are laying out our own deck.
What’s the difference between cruising spinnaker hoists and racing hoists? Speedy, baby, speed.
I videoed the Can Opener hoisting on our buddy André’s boat. When I reviewed the video earlier today, I couldn’t believe how leisurely we approached spinnaker work on André’s boat.
I guess cruising is all about taking it easy… but everything has a balance. And we’re gonna make that cruising balance a little more racy going forward.
Why? Because cleanly executed sail changes and foredeck work could be critical while cruising in an unexpected blow.
Might as well get your speed and skill up cruising now for when you (may) need it cruising tomorrow!
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| The number 2 light racing spinnaker |
–Captain Cat
(transcribed by the Can Opener)
Previously: Spinnaker Drill
The Cruising Kitty 