July 20, 20241 yr Any tips please as to how to improve my DF95s ability to goosewing? ……..other than me pointing the boat in the right direction of course! David
July 20, 20241 yr ON my 65, I have my jib and main go out further than the "recommended" 80 degrees. It helps the jib flip, and if it's blowing and there's nose diving about, you keep better control, the upper part of the main goes forward of the mast and you get a heel to windward, which keeps the Centre of effort of the main closer (or even on) the Centreline, reducing the weather helm...
July 23, 20241 yr I reckon (as with any such rig) that the counterweight is key, so that wind has an influence not just gravity. You can do a quick S turn to help it flick over, but I've also heard that one of the top skippers says better to not waste time/speed doing that and that if it wants to go then it will. I'd think wind strength plays a part too - if light then you could lose out more by trying too hard to coax it over - just keep the boat moving! And of course, don't try to goosewing if it's not actually the right thing for the wind direction anyway... I'd be interested myself in others' thoughts though. Is it better to not sail on a dead run in the first place...? Edited July 23, 20241 yr by Colin Helliwell
July 23, 20241 yr Author Thank you both for your replies. Would the counterweight need to be wound out or wound in to facilitate a goosewing? Running by the lee can be very quick in my experience. That is true in both dinghy and DF alike. Asymmetrics are a different kettle of fish, of course
July 23, 20241 yr I do not have a DF95. My experience is with a DF65 and IOMs. However the use of the jib boom counter weight should be similar. The ability of the jib to goose wing is affected by back stay tension and by the counter weight. Too much back stay makes it harder to go wing on wing. If there is a significant bend in the mast, the back stay is too tight. A good starting point with the boat rigged and ready to race is to let out the sails and hold the boat on its side - now move the counter weight until the boom is in balance. In other words - you can put it in a position and it will stay there - if it drops to full out, the boom clew end is too heavy - move out the balance weight. If the boom moves to centre - there is too much counter weight - move it in a bit and try again. Moving the counter weight out - there is a limit - it cannot project over the bow when on centre line. John Edited July 23, 20241 yr by John Ball spelling
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