The boat
Sails No need to ruin yourself immediately by renewing your sailing game. However, it seems wise to have your sails overhauled, not only for performance, but also for safety. If you notice problems with the shape and performance of your sails, you can renew them little by little, probably starting with the headsail. If it's time to replace the sail set, consider investing in versatile, cruising style sails that perform well enough for a few annual regattas.
Rigging : On most cruise ships, the rigging is set and then forgotten. Obviously, it works well to go and watch a sunset under sail from time to time. But when it comes to sailing performance it would be a shame not to take an interest in rigging tuning. You can refer to this article or ask your rigger-sailboat to come take a look
Next, check the wear of the tips and don't hesitate to invest in modern quality ropes that are lighter and not very stretchy
Electronics If you are fortunate enough to have a navigation centre, it will be very useful, provided you have calibrated the instruments and know how to use them. Most sailboats have a compass, a wind vane and a speedo. If used correctly, these can greatly improve your performance.
At a minimum, make sure you have a stopwatch on board for the start sequence and a reliable VHF radio to keep in touch with the race committee.
Boat A regatta boat should be as light as possible. Have fun chasing the superfluous, it is an excellent exercise. Remove all tools, spare parts, BBQ, dinghy... The essential equipment will be stored in the lowest and middle of the boat. Then proceed with the safety equipment inventory in accordance with the rules and racing instructions
Jackez
The crew
It is often the size of the boat that dictates the number of crew to be effective in a regatta. Even if you're used to manoeuvring with a small crew, this time, distribute the roles: genoa, mainsail, helm, bow manoeuvres?
Here are some good tips for finding a crew:
- Boat owners: It's easy, especially if they don't race on their croiseurs?! They are often the most versatile sailors and most of the time they are happy to find an excuse to go out on the water.
- The classified ads of the sailing club : Let it be known that you are looking for a crew member, word of mouth is a valuable tool for sailors.
- Sailing schools : Motivated and dynamic youngsters may not know how to put one end around a winch, but years of sailing on small, nervous boats make them efficient crew members.
- The boating pros: ask your ship-owner, the harbour office or your sailboat they may know motivated crew members ready to be embarked.
Race rules and progression
The rules: If you're new to regattas, you need to be interested in the rules of the game. You can study the basics by following this link . It can be useful to do a few races with an experienced friend before launching your own boat on the starting line.
Coaching: There's no better way to make rapid progress. These professionals are valuable resources that can quickly help you identify what you need to work on
Continuing education : some clubs offer training courses throughout the year to improve your knowledge or discover new areas.
