Flights of Freedom

Byte Pre-Sailing Reflections  Targets to achieve: Internal Affairs - Intra-Boat Management Execute smooth hand over hand sheeting in with improved rope positioning. Also tidy up ropes before doing a tack/gybe (make sure you are ready for tack/gybe before performing one) Practice main sheet tricks - stretch out length of rope and lay on knee prior to tack or gybe Hike out with thighs on boat gunwale Manage outhaul, downhaul and vang consciously to maintain good sail shape. Lift and lower daggerboard for different points of sail Manoeuvring Around Wind - Tacking & Gybing Turn by correct amount during tacking (slightly over-turn then head back to wind is fine). (Also do so by visualising current heading and new desired heading.) Tacking technique to be improved - changing hands and moving the tiller extension around forward. Keeping hands on main sheet instead of letting go.  When the wind shifts aft, point into the wind more rather than letting out the sail. Likewise when th...

Little thrills: happy and excited to get to use a brand new, larger sail Byte Sailing Brief Overview: Gusty wind conditions today. Pointers acquired: Look out into distance/distant aiming point.  Hike out with thighs on boat gunwale.  Improve hand over hand sheeting in with improved rope positioning. Also tidy up ropes before doing a tack/gybe (make sure you are ready for tack/gybe before performing one) Make sure to adjust the dagger board the next time.  Have been under-turning on tack. Might need better wind sense and envelope sense to know new heading to tack to.  Tacking technique to be improved - changing hands and moving the tiller extension around forward. Keeping hands on main sheet instead of letting go.  Tugging at main sheet to initiate swing over too early sometimes during the gybe. Turn more and watch for sail flap/depowering, then tug to initiate swingover.  Rudder control still not steady, especially when I'm sheeting in with both hands (inc...