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BBBS Keelboat Regatta Training Session 1 (22 Aug 2020) (SB20)


Item 1: Rigging
Observation: Rigging boat was slow.
Reflection: Unfamiliar with the procedures and the specific parts of the keelboat. 
Sub Points: new parts of the boat for me: outstay (line at the back to control curve of mast for depowering the top of the sail)
Head of mainsail connected to main halyard via shackle. 



Item 2: Main Sail Control
Sub points:
- Learnt traveller tuning to keep boom centred. (traveller used as fine tuning after sheeting in on the main sheet) 
- Keeping top leech telltale streaming out straight (unable to do that even after loosening outstay and sheeting out. Next thing to try: tuning the vang) 
- Main sheet, outstay and traveller controlled by the same guy usually. Need to get accustomed to the ergonomics and movement within the cockpit. Sometimes might need to manage spinnaker also.



Item 3: Spinnaker
Observation: 
I am very unfamiliar with the spinnaker as I have never used one before. I am also unfamiliar with the SB20's spinnaker system. The spinnaker pole (or technically, bowsprit) deployment is controlled separately. Bowsprit has to to be deployed first, and spinnaker hoisted (via the halyard) simultaneously. 
The term "spinnaker drop" refers to the stowing/retracting of the spinnaker. Spinnaker sheet controlled sometimes by two people, sometimes by one person, depends on the team.

Lean out of the body to observe the luff of the spinnaker. Constantly let out and sheet in to ensure that it is optimally sheeted in to the point right before it luffs. Sound off "I've got pressure, spinnaker made good" or something like that to the helmsman. If the course is good too, inform helmsman that course is good.

Better to drop the spinnaker on the windward side. To do so: 1. Gybe the boat but DO NOT pull on the spinnaker sheet on the other side, 2. As the boat turns around, the previous leeward side that the spinnaker is flying on is now the windward side. Collect the Spinnaker on the windward side. 



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