One of the aims of Around the Buoys is to share ideas that help us all get more enjoyment from radio sailing. Whether you’re just starting out or have been sailing for years, there’s always something new to learn.
The following is From the Bridge newsletter produced by Rod McKenzie, Commodore of the Pegasus Radio Sailing Club. Rod’s newsletter is packed with practical tips, interesting articles and useful resources.
We’re kicking off with Chris Koskela’s (NZL 29) Top Ten Tips. Chris has spent many years racing at a high level and has kindly shared the checks and routines he follows before heading to a regatta.
Chris Koskela’s Top Ten Tips, when going to Regattas, whether IOM, DF95 or EC12
1 Plan ahead. Two weeks prior to the event, have a thorough inspection of the boat, winch lines and sheet lines especially, any fraying, replace. Have a shakedown sail after doing so, this makes sure all knots etc are tight, and beds the new lines in.
2 Check sails. Condition, attachment points, seams, are they measured, and stamped.
3 Check batteries. Condition, connections, have at least three, and check they all weigh the same. Check charger, and charging process.
4 Winch and electrical equipment. I read and hear alot about winch issues lately, I have my thoughts why. A wise man once told me to keep the winch as close to factory default settings as possible. For late model radio sets with fail safes, and no signal cut outs, bench test this in the boat without lines attached, don’t be tempted to play too much, with end points on the TX. it may create a problem down the track.
5 Be aware of your class rules, and keep the boat within these, It is the skippers responsibility at least understand the basics.
6 Make sure you have your measurement certificate if applicable to the class your sailing, and it is in your name, unless a borrowed boat.
7 Practice, practice, practice rig changes. So you can competently change and adjust your rig between races, Officially you cannot call for time to perform a rig change or tune, But this has been creeping in.
8 Take good nutrition food, and plenty to drink, helps to keep your mind focused on the job.
9 In a multi fleet situation, watch the other fleets sailing, this shows you possibly where to, and not to go on the course, and who to avoid in future heats.
10 Make sure prior to launching, the boat is turned on, and functioning correctly.
Most importantly try to have fun.
Test Your Rules Knowledge QUIZ/Game
One of the great resources regularly featured in Rod McKenzie’s From the Bridge newsletter is the interactive World Sailing Rules Quiz. It’s a fun and challenging way to improve your understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing by working through real on-the-water situations and then comparing your answer with the official explanation.
Have a go here:
https://game.finckh.net/indexe.htm
Keep an eye on future editions of Around the Buoys for more tips, tricks, useful websites and ideas from sailors around New Zealand. If you have a favourite tip or resource you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you.