On 28 Mar 2009 as I do recall,
Sean Neill wrote:
> > Given that old Broads yachts were expected to be able to tack up rivers
> > against the wind (no auxiliary engines), I'd have thought they had to be
> > able to go about pretty fast....
> >
> I had been used to sailing dinghies - one of the main problems with
> the hire yachts was that they had 'self-acting' jibs so you couldn't
> back the jib to bring the boat round.
>
Ironically I remember having shocking trouble with that when handling a
'modern' yacht out at sea (i.e. Bermuda rig with jib extending back
beyond the mast); being used to Broads yachts, I simply couldn't get my
head round the fact that here was a boat that (apparently) was
constructed in such a fashion that it *couldn't* go head to wind with
the jib hoisted - the only way to get the mainsail up or down was to
motor at full speed into the wind, which rather seemed to defeat the
point!
I've only ever had loose-footed jibs on the Broads, but to be honest I
usually tack without backing the jib anyway, not generally having a
highly-trained crew. Beating up the mouth of the Thurne is quite good
fun -- beating down from the Potter Heigham end is only feasible in my
experience, with the tide in your favour... at about seven o'clock in
the morning, to make sure you don't meet any motor-boats coming the
other way! :-) (It was actually a lovely experience; very restful,
with just enough current in our favour to make sure we didn't lose any
ground while going about, and just enough wind to keep us slanting down
the river to the far-distant bend.)
--
Harriet Bazley == Loyaulte me lie ==
Do not underestimate the power of the Force.
