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Coach Josh's Notes

Hello team I am sharing some videos on boat handling. The first video is pretty much gold standard for crew work. Unfortunately it does not have a wing on wing gybe. When you look through the videos try to pay attention to the details because they matter. Notice how dynamic the crew is especially on the gybes. On the transitions and gybes I want crews to start trimming through the block like in the video. On the tacks the crew rolls with both feet on one side, this is not how I personally roll. However if you consistently are not getting enough roll in light conditions roll with both feet on one side. In the tacks they both trim in together while not closing the slot. This makes a big difference and you should work together on that.

In the second video this shows more of the skippers movements in a tack. I will try to find some good gybe videos later. Notice that the main is trimmed all the way in entering the tack. However it is eased while the skippers switches sides. A lot of you stay too trimmed in through the duration of the tack. You want to have that big trim in at the end of the tack. Also remember when you flatten it shifts your apparent wind back so you need to be more eased. Again this is also true with the jib. Keep the boat flat as you enter the tack don’t heel to leeward but in light conditions scoot in a little before your roll so it stays flat until you want to rip it. That goes for the crew as well. Tack slowly with minimal tiller movement especially in light air(unless it’s absolutely dead and you need to just turn the boat). At practice see if you can do it without pushing the tiller over the thwart. In a gybe you can pretty much just use body weight to turn especially on wing on wing gybes so give that a go as well. If you are having difficulty crossing and getting out on the rail look at his feet placement throughout the tack and hand placement when he grabs the rail. You can adjust the play back speed to to see it done slowly.

Video #1: FJ Crew Work

Video #2: CFJ Boat Handling

Tips & Tricks from Coach John Fretwel

  • Boathandling should continue to be our most important focus until we are confident that our maneuvers are at least up to fleet par, and ideally tend to be a gain when they happen. Please check out this good video of CFJ Roll Tacks from Tufts University for some great examples.
  • Note how far the skippers are staying forward between tacks, with knees together in an athletic semi-taught posture; to translate body motions well to the boat.
  • Note how skippers always transfer the tiler extension to the new side and straighten the tiller, BEFORE moving their body across, so the tiller doesn't get stuck behind them, causing an over-turn.
  • Note how crews are trimming the jib in on the new tack with ONE LONG PULL, by "punching the sky"
  • Note how good tacks bring water way up on the boat's side deck or even into the cockpit, and the rudder comes nearly or completely out of the water! (Bring a bailer!)