Hi I am new to the Solo class this season having spent most of my dinghy sailing career hanging on a 505 wire! Really enjoying the class and finally getting some good club results. I am struggling to get the boat speed I am sure the boat has on the reaches !! Any one got any good tips.
Thanks
Donald
Hi Donald, beyond the Ian's responses... whereabouts are you sailing? If on the sea, you really need to work on getting in the rhythm of the wave pattern, inland working the gusts. In both cases, it is very subtle as conditions get lighter and more tricky without the grunt of the 505 power. Play around with centreboard height and get a feel for where the "bite point" is. Approx half board (mark it). Too little and the boat gets too rolly and too much is just creating extra drag. In general, I'd say keep the boat flat unless steering (via heel) around waves and have a look back at your tiller to make sure you're not carrying lee or weather helm... more drag. Compared with faster boats it's a case of working on all the small things and concentrating, a lot! :-) As Mr McDonald mentioned, try lining up against a fast sailor at your club and see what they're doing (board, sail controls, body position etc). Oh, and take the mainsheet 2:1 for a better feel for the pressure in the sail.
Here's a tip, let the outhaul off. Here's another tip, let the kicker off.
I sail an Osprey when not in the Solo. I am sure there are some quick people ready to advise fast procedures but basically the Solo is much slower than 5o or Osprey.
Where it works is the hard work by the Assoc. to keep the rules tight and controlled.
The Solo will be slower, but all the other Solo will be going at a similar speed giving great racing!
Identify the best sailor at your club ( any single handed class). Ask them to come out in their boat at lunchtime and follow you for 15 minutes. Listen , over the pint you will buy them later