Crewing (Nigel Trevarthen)

Whilst we agree that the safest way to capsize a FD is to tack with the Genoa sheet cleated, we have also found the slowest way to tack a FD is to release the sheets before you tack.

We have perfected a method of tacking with the sheets in the cleats, and for anybody watching us tack, you will see we get around in about 1 second. The procedure that Mike uses is as follows. When I advise Mike of a tack, you hear, "Throw the sheets". He throws the sheets into the opposite forward corner of the cockpit. In this manner, he should not stand on the sheets when we go into the tack. He also has both hands free to help get into the boat quickly.

As the boat is pushed into the wind, Mike waits for the wind to just start backing the Genoa. This helps rotate the bow around even quicker than with the rudder and is very useful in waves when wave action can actually prevent the bow from going through the eye of the wind in about 25 knots.

Here is the critical thing, and the trick to getting it right each time. Mike holds on to both Genoa sheets right next to the cleats with his thumbs facing the centre of the boat. To better explain, make a fist with both hands and hold them in front of you. Now imagine a genoa sheet passing from one hand to the other. You will see that both your thumbs face each other. Now imagine that the genoa cleats are touching the little fingers of each hand, you can see that your thumbs face the centre of the boat.

The other critical trick to learn when tacking the boat is to remember to stand up throughout the tack. Because Mike throws the sheets before each tack, he knows where he can put his feet without standing on any part of the genoa sheet. The stance you should take is to spread your feet as far apart as possible, and as far aft as you can. This way, your legs can be kept fairly straight and simply bending at the waist allows grabbing both sheets with thumbs facing inwards.

Now comes the final trick, as soon as you release the genoa from the cleat, twist your body towards the side of the boat where the sail was previously cleated and stand up facing away from where you are pulling the sheets in. In standing up, this gives you an extra metre of sheet being pulled in for free, it ensures you are now pulling through the cleat AND most importantly, ensures the trapeze comes across without any effort.

Genoa sheets should be as short as possible to prevent excessive pulling time, normally around 9,5m long is good enough. If you can get the sheets around with three pulls, they are either too long or you have very short arms. (Remember a FD crew must be able to drag his nails in the dirt when walking upright, e.g. Gorilla profile)

This technique will be demonstrated by Mike for any FD sailor, the going rate is usually a Cold bottle of beer.