MICHIGAN SAILING CLUB

Online Sailing Classes

The Winter 2024 series have ended. Stay tuned for future series.

This is a virtual class over Zoom limited to the current members of the Michigan Sailing Club. To get the Zoom connection info, please send an email at  ovidiu@michigansailingclub.org.

There are no prerequisites for this class, and no attendance limit. The material is available online, and the classes are recorded. Note that the club’s instruction program benefits more form live attendance.

Who should attend?

  • Entry level club sailors interested in getting an overview on what sailing is all about. Areas under consideration for discussion (but not limited to) are:
    • Club and one-design sailing
    • Performance sailing
    • Racing
    • Leisure and Adventure sailing
    • STEM, the US Sailing initiative for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math applied to sailing.
  • MSC sailors looking for a path forward and considering the Advanced class at: http://michigansailingclub.org/lessons/intermediate-advanced-sailing-class/
    • While this Virtual class is not a prerequisite for the Advanced class, it offers a good visual on modern rigging, and advanced maneuvers which are part of that real class.
  • All other club members interested in talking about sailing during the winter months.

 

2024 Series (1/9/2024 – April)
Schedule:  Tuesdays at 7PM – 8:30PM

This page is constantly updated. Open it periodically and check out the new material proposed for the upcoming class. Old cache may need to be refreshed (Ctrl/F5)

Format:

  • Zoom online meeting
    • Organizer: Ovidiu Adam
    • Please email: ovidiu@michigansailingclub.org  for the meeting ID and password if you would like to participate (current MSC members only!).
  • Short and fast paced classes.
  • Class based on public domain and relevant material available on the internet (mostly video clips).
  • For each class 1 or 2 links to the 3 sections (Rigging, Sailing, Racing – 6 links at most) will be posted ahead of time.
    • The 3 sections are divided and overlap as follows:
      • Rigging
        • What the boat has (spars, sails, controls).
          • Boat maintenance and repair
        • How to put them all together to make the boat sailable.
      • Sailing
        • How to use the above mentioned controls to make the boat fast in light air, and manageable in heavy air
        • Maneuvers (tack, jibe, spinnaker up/down, trapeze in/out, safety position, heave to, right up after capsize)
        • Safety:
          • for the sailors: Gear, PFDs, MoB, entrapment.
          • for the boats: NOT a contact sport!
      • Racing
        • How to use the above mentioned sailing and maneuver techniques to sail faster than the opponents
        • Rules, tactics, and strategy.
    • The expectation is for students to watch them ahead of time and come up with discussion points.
    • During the class the videos will be presented on a shared screen and paused at interesting moments to discuss.
      • Feel free to bring up for discussion any other moments you may find of interest.
      • This can be done either via the above email ahead of time, or during the clip discussion.
      • The plan is to spend no more than 10 minutes per video.
    • Feel free to send at the above email any relevant material you may find of interest on the internet, to be included in the next class.
  • This class is intended to be interactive, and not a lecture. Be prepared to ask questions and answer questions.
  • While the material can be reviewed offline after the class, the club’s instruction program benefits more form live attendance. Please plan to attend the scheduled classes. Copyrighted material cannot be reviewed after the class.

MSC material:

Permanent material:

 

 

Proposed material for the next class this coming Tuesday (feel free to send suggestions):

Tuesday 3/12/2024

  • Boat of the week
  •  Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • Sailing fast and easy:
      • Fine tuning:  Angle of attack/incidence,   Camber,   Draft, and  Twist
    • Upwind Mainsail Trim: Shaping Your Sail, Part 4 – Controlling Twist https://youtu.be/Mq7gd27OAjU
      • 1:30 Twist definition.
      • 4:51 More twist for: Overpowered, footing, more wind at the top of the mast (trees –> puff with no ripples), pitching in waves
      • 6:53 Less twist for: Same wind at all heights (ripples on the water), under-powered, want to point, fat water (no pitching)
      • 7:41 3 indications for proper twist. Top batten, leech telltales,
      • 9:09 Leech (twist) control: Mainsheet+vang (vang sheeting), Cunningham, traveler,
      • 11:42 Interactions and challenges.
      • 12:56 *** Vang sheeting limitations:
      • 14:05 *** Dropping traveler: increase fdw force, decreases heeling ( –> reduces helm)
    •  Maneuvers
  •  Racing:
    •  Start:
    • Upwind:
    • Top mark
    • Downwind:
      • Our Favorite Rules with the Daves – Rule 17
      • 19. Tactics Made Simple: downwind in strong winds
      • DOWNWIND TECHNIQUE: ILCA (LASER) TECHNIQUE TIPS – How to sail faster with the British Sailing Team
      • How to sail – The Essential Factors: Part 4 of 9 Sail SETTING Reaching and Running
      • Broach vs Death Roll capsize
        • 2020 Rd 4 Day 1 Group A Hull 10 720p: https://youtu.be/dOHrv_l7-wo
          • 0:14 Start. Start last, finish last
          • 9:14 60 deg heel
          • 10:40 top mark
          • 11:25 Jib luffing. sailing too far down.
          • 11:47 weight too far forward. Bow plowing.
          • 12:24 jibe
          • 13:35 leeward mark
          • 20:25 top mark
          • 21:40 Spinnaker up. Last in the race, nothing to loose.
          • 21:18 Jib left luffing while raising the spinnaker
          • 22:04 broach
          • 24:08 dousing the spinnaker
          • 31:50 finish
        • Rd 4 Day 1 Hull 10 Broach: https://youtu.be/WYbOGQDVhiM
          • Same event as above, captured from the sag boat.
          • 0:10 Spinnaker up. Last in the race, nothing to loose.
          • 0:37 broach
          • 1:38 Rudder off the water –> cannot steer. Boom in the water –> cannot ease.
          • 2:46 dousing the spinnaker
        • Start, Upwind, Death Roll x2: https://youtu.be/ErwBXJLdJ0I
          • 0:23 Start
          • 1:51 Boats sail flat, even in heavy air
          • 2:37 Top mark, and first death roll
          • 3:16 Almost roll, saved by turning windward.
          • 3:20 Second roll not saved.
    • Leeward mark roundings
    •  Rules

 

 

History:

Tuesday 3/5/2024

  • Boat of the week
  •  Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • Sailing fast and easy:
      • Fine tuning:  Angle of attack/incidence,   Camber,   Draft, and  Twist
    • Upwind Mainsail Trim: Shaping your Sail, Part 2 – Camber   https://youtu.be/mkkUPWUpMHM
      • 1:56 Camber definition (fat vs flat sail)
      • 3:48 Lift and drag vectors
      • 5:00 Flat sail
      • 9:00 Flat sail: light air, upwind, Deep sail: Under powered, waves.
      • 10:13 built into the sail,
      • 11:17 bending the mast
      • 13:30 vang. (attached to the mast vs attached to the boat)
      • 14:19 outhaul
      • 15:27 Cues. Wrinkles, leech telltales
    • Upwind Mainsail Trim: Shaping Your Mainsail, Part 3 – Draft Shape and Position  https://youtu.be/yERm1lJq0ls
      • 1:34 Definitions: Luff shape, Position of draft, Leech shape.
      • 2:04 Leech hooked (closed), flat, or open
      • 4:20: effects: Point, VMG, wide groove.
      • 5:19 Pointing
      • 5:41 *** Wind tangent to sail by the mast.
      • 6:52 Better VMG
      • 7:39 *** Lift force is directed more forward
      • 8:10 *** Max draft position 40-50% aft
      • 8:32 Wider Groove
      • 10:10 Controls: Mast bend, Cunningham, Leech tension
      • 11:43 Indications and Cues
      • 13:21 Indications and Challenges
      • 14:11 *** Older sails: Cloth breaks down 45deg to the weave:  Draft moves aft and leech hooked
      • 15:00 Summary: Pointing, Overall (VMG), Wider Groove
    •  Maneuvers
      • Tack
      • Gybe
      • Spinnaker up
      • Spinnaker down
  •  Racing:

 

Tuesday 2/27/2024

  • Boat of the week
  •  Rigging:
  • Sailing:
  •  Racing:
    • SUNFISH RACE 4 MYC FEB 2020   https://youtu.be/IFWZaE4A4GQ
      • 2:10 start
      • 2:18 good luff limit, telltales
      • 3:57 tack
      • 3:59 leeward telltale flying, windward telltale stalled (asymmetric sail). Separate pairs of telltale?
      • 5:04 legs crossed while hiking
      • 5:11 duck and tack on the layline
      • 5:28 turn downwind
      • 7:52 leeward mark
      • 12:16 top mark
      • 14:38 leeward mark
      • 15:42 tacking on the finish line
    •  Start:
    • Upwind:
      • Duck or tack
      • Our Favorite Rules with the Daves – Rule 10
      • Know the Game – Port Starboard Rule
      • When boats meet: https://youtu.be/fmi2znaaD9A
        • Note: Video slightly obsolete
        • 0:35: R10: On Opposite tacks
        • 1:32: R11: Same tack overlapped
        • 2:18: R12: Same tack NOT overlapped
        • 2:40: R13: Tacking
        • 3:08: R14: Avoid Contact.
        • 3:35: R18: Around the marks. (Note: Marks to Port)
    • Top mark
    • Downwind:
    • Leeward mark roundings
    •  Rules

Tuesday 2/20/2024

  • Boat of the week
  •  Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • VMG = Velocity Made Good
      • Understanding Polar VMG’s    https://youtu.be/nyQdxIqPQv4
        • 0:36 Polar plot Beneteaux 10R
        • symmetric, except asymmetric boats (sunfish, optimist)
        • 2:08 Optimum angle 39deg.
        • 2:38 high mode 35deg
        • 2:56 low mode
        • 5:27 downwind
        • 5:46 optimum 151deg
        • 6:32 VMC
        • 7:17 cones (parallel to the laylines)
        • 7:52 Does not matter where the mark falls inside the cones
      • now the Game – VMG Explained by Nathan Outteridge: https://youtu.be/14TYwonISH0
        • Sailing the shortest distance at the highest speed
        • 1:03 good VMG
        • 1:51 optimal VMG
        • 2:02 Bear off –> Faster, but in the wrong direction
        • 2:10 Too far into the wind –> Shorter distance, but loosing speed
    • Sailing fast and easy:
    • Maneuvers
  •  Racing:
    • Start:
    • Upwind:
    • Top mark
    • Downwind:
    • Leeward mark roundings

 

Tuesday 2/13/2024

Tuesday 2/6/2024

Tuesday1/30/2024

Tuesday1/23/2024

Tuesday1/16/2024

 

3/28/2023

 

3/21/2023

  • Boat of the week:
    • The 505
      • Take a ride onboard a 5O5; Sailing at its purest…
        • https://youtu.be/Fp1tKr2p8_Q
        • This video shows a female helm on the downwind with spinnaker and without a spinnaker.
        • 0:41 Launch Spin
        • 1:23 Gybe and crew coaching comments
        • 3:11 Bearing up
        • 4:30 Final sail
        • 5:10 view from a chaser boat
      • “The Learning Curve on This Thing is Super Steep”: First Sail on the 505
        • https://youtu.be/kFe7EnIYpRo
        • These guys are funny and the video shows some good examples of trim setting and control adjustments.
        • 0:53 Outhaul on
        • 1:19 Tack and capsize
        • 1:36 back on the wire
        • 2:05 Tack
        • 2:46 Spin launch
        • 3:00 Spin up and made
        • 3:15 Capsize with Spin
        • 3:30 Back on the wire trimming spin
        • 4:21 Spin trimming
        • 4:45 Spin Douse – kite stuck
        • 5:40 Cruise with spinnaker on the wire
  •  Rigging:
    • Vang Sheeting https://youtu.be/pdxPvEb4Lg0
      • on boats with no traveler use the vang to flatten the main.
      • 0:22 bend the mast by applying vang
      • 1:48 tune up diagram
      • Hiking position: knees by mid gunwale
      • 5:08 Loosing the mainsheet
      • 7:20 proactiveley release the minimum amout in anticipation of the change, rather than reactive release significantly more.
  • Sailing:
  •  Racing:
    • Start:
    • Upwind:
    • Top mark
    • Downwind:

3/14/2023

 

3/7/2023

2/28/2023

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • Balance exercises on flat water, light air, and away from any obstruction:
      • Set the boat on an upwind (close hauled) course, centerboard all the way down, and cleat both sails
      • Test 1:
        • With the boat flat, release the rudder
          • Expected: the boat should sail straight
        • Heel the boat to windward
          • Expected: the boat should bear off
        • Heel the boat leeward
          • Expected: the boat should turn windward
      • Test 2:
        • With the boat heeled leeward, raise the centerboard (not daggerboard!) a couple of inches.
          • Expected: the boat should sail straight
      • Test 3:
        • With the boat flat and balanced, uncleat the main sail and let it luff.
          • Expected: the boat should bear off
        • With the boat flat, cleat the main and uncleat the jib and let it luff.
          • Expected: the boat should turn windward
        • With the boat flat, jib luffing, but main trimmed, raise the raise the centerboard (not daggerboard!) a few inches.
          • Expected: the boat should rebalance and sail straight.
      • Test 4:
        • Raise the rudder blade completely off the water, raise 1/2 of the centerboard.
          • Trim independently the jib and the main, one at a time, to control the direction of the ruderless boat.
  •  Racing:

2/7/2023

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • Upwind Mainsail Trim: Shaping your Sail, Part 1 – Angle of Attack    https://youtu.be/GeYqcg3nFRY
      • 2:30 Angle of Attack definition
      • 3:55 Lift and Drag
      • 4:14 Control: Boat’s heading (rudder) or mainsheet (traveler)
      • 4:30 “Note: Pulling in the mainsheet affects other aspects of the sail shape such as its fullness and twist” !!!
      • 4:39 “If you want to adjust the angle of attack without affecting the sail shape –> use the traveler” !!!
      • 5:43 Lift and Drag graph
      • 6:48 “Never stall the leeward side of the sail” a.k.a. “Never overtrim”
      • 7:29 Low groove, middle grove, high groove
      • 7:40 Optimal sailing points (gears)
      • 8:30 Cues (good)
      • 9:40 Cues (good)
  •  Racing:

1/31/2023

1/24/2023

1/17/2023

 

1/10/2023

4/19/2022  (Last class of the 2022 series)

4/12/2022

4/5/2022

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
  •  Racing:

 

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • Jeff K. class on “Sailing and Racing keelboats”.
  •  Racing:

3/21/2022

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • More on Twist: J109 Heavy Air Trim  https://youtu.be/ES2PL7_8zkM
      • 0:36 left traveler (boom) too far down. See booms.
      • Jib 5″ below the lower spreader
      • 1:49 Two ways to de-power
    • What are the features and challenges of racing keelboats (esp. 25-35 ft range) as compare to racing dinghies?
      • Racing? not much diff,  IMO.
      • Sailing?
        • Momentum: If out of groove, a heavy boat will still feel good. No immediate hint.
        • Light boats (Flying Dutchman), offer sudden acceleration, when finding the groove.
        • Keel boats sail heeled. Dinghies sail flat even in heavy air.
        • Upwind: Heavy boats cut straight through waves, Dinghies climb and slide each side of every wave.
        • Sail trim, mast bend: No backstay on dinghies.
        • Fixed keel downwind: No skidding sideways on jibe: Broach!

2/29/2022

  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • Discussion on VMG
      • relation to the wind only
      • boat speed x cos angle to the wind
  •  Racing:
    • Discussion on Overlapped
      • One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position.
      • They overlap when neither is clear astern.
      • Clear astern is a relation between 2 boats
      • From the chat: overlap, committee boat

2/15/2022

2/8/2022

  • Miscellaneous
    • Announcement from Jeff K.
    • Question from last week chat
    • Review of the Angle of Attack
  •  Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
  •  Racing:

2/1/2022

1/25/2022

  • Rigging:

 

  •   Sailing:
    • Lowell North sailing the Star at the Worlds 1961 in San Diego: https://youtu.be/lLT92O7H5G4
      • Note the casual gear, street shoes.
      • Note the seemingly funny hiking position (to be discussed later)
      • The Star is designed to sail faster when heeled (uncommon for hiking boats)
        • the keel is relatively aft compared to boats designed to be sailed flat.
    • Discussion about balanced boats
      • In this context “balanced” refers to the boat’s ability to continue sailing straight even when the rudder is released.
      • Boats designed to be sailed flat (all the boats at MSC)  vs  boats designed so be sailed heeled (most keel boats)
      • A balanced boat: sail plan vs draft plan
      • A balanced boat: heeled vs flat.
    • Problems caused by a heeled boat:
      • weatherhelm (because of both unbalance and hull shape)
      • drifting sideways
      • inefficient hiking
      • lift unaffected by the heel and pushing the boat deeper in the water
      • inability to solve the problem by easing the sails because the sail touches the water and won’t ease out.
      • it is easier to keep a boat flat, than to flatten a heeled boat
    • Jy15 sailing with gusts to 25 and changing winds  https://youtu.be/szIm90okHjo
      • Just like the Melges15, the JY15 comes with windward jib cleats.
      • Unlike the M15, the JY15 has elevated cockpit floor (double bottom), open transom scuppers, and no bailers.
      • Entry level crew, figuring the boat as they go.
      • Brave enough to sail in difficult conditions (shift wind with gusts of 25kn), and still having fun.
      • 1:40 cleating the jib on the wrong side.
      • 1:52 call for tack, but no tack.
      • 2:53 the real tack
      • 3:11 jib sheet questions
      • 6:26 Figuring out how to cleat the jib
      • 8:17 Tack. Trimming the jib from awkward position:
      • 8:25 Slow to hike: The boom touches the water.
      • 8:53 Jib too loose and luffing violently.
      • 10:00 Failed tack (boat left head to wind for too long)
      • 11:00 Same failed tack
      • 11:07 Call for gibe, but they finally tack
  •  Racing:
    • Discussion on start techniques:
      • RC Boat (windward – typical) start
        • Why is the RC Boat on the right side of the line?
      • Pin start (risky)
      • Middle of the line start (safest)

1/18/2022

1/11/2022

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
  •  Racing:

 

5/25/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • 420 To The Max – Free online training video by the 420 Class – English version   https://youtu.be/hmPlcesqJig
      • It mostly applies to 470 FD and Wayfarer.
      • 0:47 boat packed for transport (top and bottom covers, mast cover)
      • 0:48 removing covers, rigging the boat
      • 1:17 sailing it
      • 1:43 entry level for future Olympic sailors
      • 2:00 light winds
      • 2:26 light wind tack
      • 3:54 boat’s track during the task (90 deg)
      • 4:15 speed graph
      • 4:45 light wind Gybe
      • 4:55 pull spi windward before the gybe
      • 6:03 crew pumps the main sail from the kicker
      • 6:14 time graph
      • 6:41 light wind rounding top mark. 3 ways.
      • 6:55 prepare pole ahead of time
      • 7:18 throw the spi in front of the jib
      • 9:25 light wind downwind mark
      • 10:51 light wind top mark to reach (after passing the mark do not bear away)
      • 11:33 light wind reaching mark to downwind
      • 11:58 light wind upwind
      • 12:30 Sit forwad
      • 13:10 Horizontal wrinkles in the luff
      • 14:48 light wind reaching
      • 15:20 light wind downwind
      • 15:55 hold gently both spi sheets
      • 17:06 clothing
      • 20:33 medium wind tack
      • 22:46 medium wind gybe
      • 23:00 *** spi full during the tack ***
      • 24:32 medium upwind
      • 25:05 crew keep adjusting the trap height
      • 25:10 cleat the windward sheet of the jib. Uncommon.
      • 25:54 jib cunningham
      • 26:50 medium wind reaching
      • 28:32 medium wind downwind
    • Sailing Downwind  https://www.speedandsmarts.com/toolbox/articles2/smallboat-sailing/sailing-downwind
      • Very good insights. Highly recommended.
    • How to Sail – Capsize a 2 person sailboat https://youtu.be/zOBQjUEd_4s
      • Scooping method
      • 0:24 Capsizing is a normal part of everyday sailing
      • 1:05 *** do not loose the boat !!! ***
      • 1:17 *** uncleat sheets ***
      • 1:25 Check rudder.
      • 1:56 Protect the thin edge of the centerboard!
      • 2:02 *** Thin edge!!! Try the forward edge. ***
      • 2:16 Gentle and sustained pressure. Do not bounce on the centerboard!
      • 2:41 Release sheets!
      • 3:17 *** Scoopee under the mainsheet. ***
      • 3:38 climb on the opposit side of the boom
      • 3:46 Stern climbing risky: boat takes off, rudder damage.
      • 3:52 climbing over the stern _must_ be very quick, because of body water anchor
      • 5:51 Spinnaker retrieved under water. Too much friction. Push it by hand.
    • Hiking tips by Paul Goodison https://youtu.be/yUUH4dbGv7E
  •  Racing:

5/18/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
  •  Racing:
    • 5 – Starting Strategies Episode Three – The Dinghy Start https://youtu.be/EexmOSXx6xo
      • 2:31 favorite end of the starting line
      • 5:47 dead stop followed by sudden acceleration at the moment of the start
    • Tactics Made Simple: leeward mark roundings https://youtu.be/N8UwkLrcwJ8
    • Rounding the Leeward Mark Wide and Tight.mp4  from Jarett D.

5/11/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • How to Hold your Lane in a Laser https://youtu.be/UyBstLt4WQs
      • 0:19 Can’t hold the lane (lee bow)
      • 0:32 high mode (typically used after the start when the boats are close)
      • 1:29 surfing the windward wake of the leeward boat
      • 1:58 what to do to sail in high mode (work harder)
    • Capsize and Recovery https://youtu.be/Xl9hFqCN840
      • 1:23 beginner’s jybe –> capsize
      • 1:32 there is room between boom and boat, but not for long.
      • 1:47 Life jacket too large.
      • 2:15 *** Hold the tip of the mast. ***
      • 3:11 climb over stern successful when bow held in place
      • 4:04 2nd climb over stern in shallow water
  •  Racing:
    • Rules for Start Racing https://youtu.be/fmi2znaaD9A
      • 0:30 Rule10             Different tacks
      • 1:30 Rule 11            Overlapped
      • 2:17 Rule 12            Same tack non overlapped
      • 2:38 Rule 13            Tacking
      • 3:08 Rule 14            Avoid contact
      • 3:32 Rule 18            The Zone 3 boat length around the mark

 

5/4/2021

  • Rigging:
    • UGA Sailing: How to Rig a 420 https://youtu.be/6xTaFsJpwo8
      • Simple boat similar to JY, and 470, … FD and Wayfarer
      • Good walk through all the hw.
      • 0:54 Forestay all metal.
      • 1:40 Jib tensioner. Same as 470, FD, Wayfarer, JY (lever)
      • 3:10 Outhaul pulley behind cleat.
      • 4:20 Variations between boats do exist!
  •   Sailing:
    • Downwind sailing and gybing tips from Sarah Ayton  https://youtu.be/s0M_1XXLXRE
      • 0:43 spi up
      • 1:16 Crew only follows the spi. Helm watches for everything else.
      • 1:53 Head up on lull, down on the pressure.
      • 2:40 jybe
  •  Racing:
    • Racing 101: Tacking on a Header https://youtu.be/XtC19HkAjz4
      • 2:22 long right course with lucky wind shift
      • 2:48 did not tack on header
      • 3:45 shift wind: same trails on all the boats
      • 4:01 big knock (should be tacking!)
      • 5:57 8% less distance
    • Upwind Strategy And Tactics – Sail in Clear Air https://youtu.be/H9qCSBQa9Zw
      • 1:51 bad air
      • 1:55 blanket zone. Directly downwind (apparent wind !!!). *** Pointed by the wind vane. ***
      • 2:20 deflection zone (bigger than blanket!)
      • 8:02 Coming to the windward mark on port tack
      • 8:40 escaping the pack
      • 10:49 Starboard tack boat encourages port boat to keep going

 

4/27/2021

  • Rigging:
    • How to rig a spinnaker on a 420  https://youtu.be/DAfrZEo8P4w
      • 0:18 red (port) and green (starbord) edges. Important when retriever present.
  •   Sailing:
    • Melges 15: How to Gybe   https://youtu.be/ffd8wRUDPlg
      • 0:39 the boom crosses the boat.
      • 1:00  trim the spi all the way, before releasing on to the new side.
    • Downwind technique 470   https://youtu.be/xEJVHc7cBzc
      • 0:31 Broad reach with boom trimmed in.
      • 0:43 Veriy dynamic sport.
      • 1:12 jybe with spi full.
      • 1:33 centerboard more than 1/2 up. Leave a pivot point.
      • 3:00 triangular boom (for stiffness)
    • Upwind sailing tips by Sarah Ayton & Saskia Clark  https://youtu.be/zyTDWvneuD4
      • 0:26 top telltale 80% stall ()
      • 1:32 Re-entry from trapeze
      • 1:52 tacking
      • 2:24 tack back to mast
    • 470 training week – Marina degli Aregai – ITALY (promo)  https://youtu.be/Qi3R56sNw0A
      • 0:52 12.7kn boat speed
  •  Racing:

4/20/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • How to Shape the Mainsail for Beating  https://youtu.be/IT5EtXunhJQ
      • 0:17 Medium wind (8-10kn)
      • 0:38 traveller. Check leech and twist
      • 0:53 light wind. travellet windward
      • 1:20 heavy air
  •  Racing:

4/13/2021

4/6/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
    • Flying Dutchman September training (light air) https://youtu.be/_-Y2cYW2moM
      • 0:00 Start 1
      • 4:24 bouncing
      • 6:18 rounding the top mark.  Spinnaker launcher
      • 10:09 spi down + gybe
      • 11:11 roll tack
      • 15:38 rudder in the middle of the boat
      • 16:10 top mark. Launch spi
      • 17:53 spi pump
      • 19:42 spi douse + leeward mark
      • 19:52 Start 2
      • 23:53 adjusting the trapeze height
      • 24:35 spi up. Lunch 1’, attach the guy, launch all the way.
      • 25:20 camera (crew’s eyes) only look at the spi. Curl in the spi luff is desirable.
      • 26:00 spi pumping
      • 27:36 spi down,  jib out, and trapeze out  in 25s.
      • 32:08 top mark. Spi up. Quick fill
      • 35:09 leeward mark
      • 38:35 seemingly botched tack. Almost capsize
      • 42:08 gibe under spi, and gybing match. 10s per gybe, spi full during gybe.
  •  Racing:

 

3/30/2021

  •  Racing:

 

3/23/2021

  • Rigging:
  •   Sailing:
  •  Racing:

3/16/2021

  • Rigging:
    • Jordan Factor & Matt Wefer – ON BOARD WITH THE BEST https://youtu.be/2N7BkTcn__Y
      • 0:50 Fully rigged 470. No crew hiking straps.
      • 2:55 2 carts traveler (MSC Bull & Sunshine Lady)
      • 3:50 Vang, Cunningham, Centerboard,
      • 4:48 Standard jib tracks
  • Sailing:
    • How not to sail FD’s behind ferrys:  https://youtu.be/qmtV2u24jC4
      • 0:37 main too deep. control twist either vang or mainshhet
      • 1:14 main too open
      • 1:18 tack
      • 3:00 the boat helps out of the ferry’s wake.
      • 3:09 big lull, followed by big knock
  •  Racing:

3/9/2021

  • Rigging:
    • Wayfarer Rigging Guide        https://youtu.be/AeCJ4n99OIo
      • 2:40 Stepping the mast: ensure free wires. Keep forestay handy
      • 4:33 Ensure the foot of the mast is clean of mud, sand, …
      • 6:08 WF has a pin locking the mast to the boat. Most MSC boats don’t. Risk of losing the mast. Laser mast tie down, JY15, V15, 470, FD tensioned rigging.
      • 8:06 Preserve the tuning when unstopping, rather than guessing (3rd hole) it on stepping.
      • 15:51 Hook the loop in the wire, and not the loop in the messenger line.
      • 16:00 Do not pinch the messenger line!
      • 26:33 No shackle at the head of the main sail (MSC FDs)
      • 27:16 Pull the rope next (not through) the cleat. (MSC FDs)

3/2/2021

  • Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • Laser Sailing: Lull Response – Incorrect Technique – International Sailing Academy https://youtu.be/SO2Q8bwwp84
      • 0:06 Lull == velocity header
      • 0:12 lull effect (apparent header)
      • 0:18 ease the sail on lull
      • 0:23 re-trim when the puff hits
      • 0:38 do not bear away on velocity header (the lesser evil)
      • 1:10 accept poor flow on short lull
      • 1:16 telltale goes up, body goes up at the same time.
      • 1:20 tempting to bear away to keep telltales even. But don’t.
  • Racing:
    • 1 – Reaching Out And Reaching In https://youtu.be/Z6B-oaJiZ-8
      • 0:39 Go out for 1min, come back (beam reach) for the start.
      • 0:50 Works best on square line
      • 4:49 Recap, Pitfalls
    • 3 – Starting Strategies Episode Two — The Full Speed Approach https://youtu.be/8r48_hKDObc
      • The Vanderbuilt start: Least recommended of all strategies.

2/23/2021

  • Rigging:
    • Weather.
      • See Michigan Sailing Club Winter Lecture Series
        • Friday, 04.23, 6:30-7:30pm
          Thunderstorms / Lightening / Tornadoes / Waterspouts, followed by Q&A
          Paul Gross
          Meteorologist at WDIV-TV / American Meteorological Society Fellow and Certified Consulting / Broadcast Meteorologist
  • Sailing:
    • Wayfarer Sail Trim https://youtu.be/qrGLEKqRJ6M
      • 0:15 top main batten good. curved sail
      • 0:22 top main batten good. flat sail
      • 0:26 jib || main good. curved sail
      • 0:31 jib || main good. flat sail
      • 0:41 kicker (vang/traveller) too slack
      • 0:46 too much twist.
      • 1:20 mast bend
      • 1:26 heel –> tiller
      • 1:36 downwing good
      • 1:53 go up to initiate planning, and return to course on puff. Downwind: always bear off on puffs especially when with spinnaker.
    • Hiking Masterclass – Top Tips for Laser Sailing – Improve your racing with Nick Thompson
  • Racing:

 

2/16/2021

  • Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • Sailing Explained: Gybing Tips & Tricks https://youtu.be/JkVL7J7UDcU
      • 1:08 End of a gust
      • 1:37 Vang: not too loose, not too tight.
      • 2:25 Heeled to windward at the beginning of the gybe.
      • 3:36 Final pull
      • 3:55 Sheet caught on the transom
    • Lift and Drag: Prevent Common Sail Trim Errors https://youtu.be/NDX_VNO2Qb8
      • 3:40 Flat sail vs curved.
      • 8:10 Over trimmed sail
      • 9:25 Managing drag
      • 12:28 Telltale: over trimmed sail (sail sheeted in too much)
      • 13:18 Telltale: sail about to luff. Most efficient.
      • 14:04 Flat sail: less drag, less lift (lift also causes heel!)
      • 15:15 Steer by the luff telltales and trim by the leech telltales
      • 16:17 Top batten parallel to the boom.
      • 16:30 Light air: avoid going straight down.
  • Racing:
    • Rules:
      • 4 years cycle. 2021 new cycle, just published.
      • Rule 14: No collision
    • America’s Cup
    • High Performance Racing Tactics with Phil Muller, Founder of 2NINER https://youtu.be/x0llJcg-oao
      • 4:00 Playbook: Speed day (planning) vs leverage (light/shifty wind, tack on shift)
      • 6:42 Race track
      • 8:00 Upwind 4 tracks + tack on shift. Follow the plan.
      • 20:00 Upwind (cont.)
      • 22:00 Lanes closing as you reach the lay line!
      • 23:00 Top mark
      • 26:00 Downwind: 9 ways to pass
      • 33:10 Decision diamond: Lanes closing as you reach the lay line!
      • 36:36 Leeward gate.
      • 49:20 Out of the gate. New plan?

2/9/2021

  • Sailing:
    • Sail Trim Masterclass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWRI8MJ67WY
      • 1 :25 Under power (10kn), power band(15kn), over power. Need controls to trim/adjust
      • 2:25 Sail distortion à respect new sails.
      • 3:05 Efficient air foil.
      • 3:50 Sheet Tension. Trim in heavy not light air.
      • 6:07 Halyard (Cunningham) tension
      • 8:24 Lead position. Hit middle of the luff. Tuning it to tensions more the leech or the foot.
      • 13:19 Mainsail trim
      • 14:20 End of top batten || boom. Top telltale flying 50%.
      • 16:29 Pic
      • 16:45 Traveller
      • 20:08 12m traveler eased. Not flapping.
      • 21:17 Not strong enough on big boats. Downwind tool.
      • 22:10 Luff tension
      • 22:58 Ignore wrinkles in the luff. Good for downiwind
      • 23:49 Loose in medium air.
      • 26:15 Backstay
      • 27:59 Trimming questions.  Pair sailing with 1 boat keeping fixed trimming for ref, and the other experiments.
    • How to Sail: Single Handed Capsize: Part 2 of 3: Righting The Boat: https://youtu.be/sbmJf0GDdgY
      • 0:44 Prevent boat rolling on top of you
      • 0:25 Free sheet (man, jib, uncleated)
      • 0:38 Check rudder
      • 1:24 Do not damage the trailing edge of the centerboard.
      • 2:22 Keep head clear of the flapping boom
      • Waves help.
  • Racing:
    • 3 – Starting Strategies Episode Two — The Full Speed Approach https://youtu.be/8r48_hKDObc
      • AKA Vanderbuilt start
      • Most obvious strategy, but least recomended.

2/2/2021

  • Rigging:
    • Inspecting Your Club 420: https://youtu.be/hpSfwA6Sr3I
      • Purpose: Understand the rigging parts, and compare them to MSC boats. Understand the feature and its various implementations.
      • Simple 2 person boat similar to JY, and 470, FD, Wayfarer and …
      • Good walk through all the hw.
      • Inspect fist for dock in, and sail out.
      • Jib cam cleats for the leeward side.
      • Current fleet: jy (5 boats) and 470 (4 boats)
      • 0:28 Boats are not identical. Understand the features, not a specific setup.
      • 1:16 Forestay all metal.
      • 11:36 tape the shroud plates. Frayed wire!
      • 14:00 Plugs!!!
      • 15:49 Rudder blade bolt tight (up to blade stays up by itself)
      • 16:40 Pintles and gudgeons
      • 18:00 Auto (Elvstrom) bailers: Wear shoes!
  • Sailing:
    • Tactics Made Simple: gybing in strong winds: https://youtu.be/9-NgtxES-b8
    • How to Sail: Single Handed Capsize: Part 2 of 3: Righting The Boat: https://youtu.be/sbmJf0GDdgY
      • 0:44 Prevent boat rolling on top of you
      • 0:25 Free sheet (man, jib, uncleated)
      • 0:38 Check rudder
      • 1:24 Do not damage the trailing edge of the centerboard.
      • 2:22 Keep head clear of the flapping boom
      • Waves help.
  • Racing:
    • 3 Golden Rules for Tactics in Dinghy Racing with Mark Rushall: https://youtu.be/6TWXm_aI-fg
      • Start match strategy
      • Analyze cues
      • Match the risk with the reward

 

8/14/2020

  • Rigging:
    • International 420 Class – 420 Tuning Video https://youtu.be/td9AGPh6js4
      • 0:44 tuning guides: mast step, spreaders, rake, prebend
      • 0:55 mast step
      • 1:41 forestay length
      • 2:14 shrouds 245kg = 540lbs
  •  Sailing:
    • Comment pictures from the Rookie Regatta.
      • Cunningham too tight
      • CB bungee tangled in the vang
    • Laser: Boatshop24 – Learn to Sail : Sailing basics with Alex – Episode 2/6 https://youtu.be/aearVcaeLOc
      • 2:32 roll tack
    • Hiking Masterclass – Top Tips for Laser Sailing – Improve your racing with Nick Thompson https://youtu.be/-TbfX7gYILE
      • 0:10 Toe strap
      • 0:33 Foot position
      • 0:58 Quad muscles
      • 1:15 Hike hard
      • 1:33 Body movement
  •  Racing:

7/31/2020

 

7/24/2020

  • Rigging:
    • How to Rig a Laser https://youtu.be/rKlIYWfhx10
      • Should be secured after Jane T. popular class.
      • 0:52 shock cord to keep the strap off your feet. Adjust.
      • 1:30 Tape traveler standard blocks.
      • 2:41 Assemble the 2 sections of the mast: Align rivet with gooseneck.
      • 5:06 Mast retaining line. Mandatory in Sarnia. Also used to secure the daggerboard shock cord.
  •  Sailing:
    • LASER – Roll Tack (EN) https://youtu.be/u9Fl7qvBZxU
      • 1:46 roll à more than 45deg heel.
      • 2:00 tight vang à bent boom
      • 2:14 60deg heel! Only now ease the main sheet.
      • 2:33 hike hard on exit
  •  Racing:

7/10/2020

6/26/2020

  • Rigging:
  • Sailing:
    • How to set your vang in a laser          https://youtu.be/raqZmQlJfv8
      • 0:50 Too loose.
      • 1:14 Too tight. Stiff leech
      • 1:55 Leech moving, but coming back.
    • How to Sail – Capsize a 2 person sailboat https://youtu.be/zOBQjUEd_4s
      • 1:25 Check rudder.
      • 1:56 Protect the thin edge of the centerboard!
      • 2:16 Gentle and sustained pressure. Do not bounce on the centerboard!
      • 2:41 Release sheets!
      • 2:48 Thin edge!!! Try the forward edge.
      • 3:17 Scoopee under the mainsheet.
      • 3:46 Stern climbing risky: boat takes off, rudder damage.
      • 5:51 Spinnaker retrieved under water. Too much friction. Push it by hand.
  • Racing:

 

6/19/2020

  •  Rigging:
    • Laser Rigging Tips https://youtu.be/djZsP-5Ds1A
      • 1:38 Align rivet with gooseneck.
      • 1:54 Align top of the sail with the gooseneck
      • 2:20 No play between tiller and rudder
      • 3:54 Lock the vang to the boom
      • 4:16 Cunningham on one side of the boom. Not a usage at MSC.
      • 5:14 No friction in the clew strap.
      • 6:00 Outhaul depth
      • 7:25 Stopped knot on controls.
      • 8:46 Mainsheet mark/knot at 90deg.
      • 9:20 Wind indicator on all boats
      • 10:36 Hiking strap line+bungee
      • 11:24 No auto bailers at MSC
      • MSC effort to standardize Laser rigging. Help wanted.
    • Lesson 03: Boat Set Up | International 420 Class Exercise eBook https://youtu.be/Dg2yOvB6VvQ
      • 1:15 Untangled wires before stepping the mast.
      • 1:49 Attach shrouds. MSC usage: remove the lower pin, not the tuning pin. Preserve tuning.  Tape pins!
      • 4:48 Rig jib before main. Tension.
      • 5:25 Hook the wire, not the messenger line.
      • 5:45 Inside outhaul hooked at the end of the boom.
      • 5:56 Secure tack to mast (Note bent gooseneck on the new WF at MSC!)
  • Sailing:
  • Racing:

6/12/2020

  • Rigging:
  • Sailing:
  • Racing:
    • Rules: Clark Chapin, PYC. Awesome.
    • Tactical Lee to Lee Gybe – International Sailing Academy https://youtu.be/Fmo9-LxwGtA
      • Light wind: The main sail rotates more than 180deg.