FJ sailing... Learning + practice + wind = FUN

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This is the first time this semester we have sailed the "Flying Juniors," affectionately called FJs. These are the sports cars of our fleet, much lighter, generally faster (not always) but certainly more sensitive and responsive than the Javelins.

Some advanced sailors and a few select beginners rig up the FJs and move them down to the beach. It's a bit more work than rigging up the Javelins at the dock... but oh so much worth it!

I apologize for not having any photos of the beginners sailing Javelins today, but they were working with  Coaches Hittner, Gowans, and Jackson who did not take any pics for me.





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Head Coach Rezab supervises operations at the beach. It's a clear sunny day, and a "sea breeze" sprang up even as we were preparing to launch. This is why the boats are beached with bows facing outward, it is easier to hoist sails with the boat head-to-wind (or at least close to it).





We had some minor mayhem getting underway with the FJs, mostly because only 2 of the current sailing class have ever sailed FJs anyway, and partly because of the onshore wind (link) . We have not yet learned the lesson about "lee shores" but after today, it should ring some bells.





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Once we got away from the beach, the sailing part was pretty good. The sailors improved visibly with every tack, every controlled stop, every bear-away. FJ's are very sensitive to sail trim and weight, so the cadet got constant reminders of how to perform better. No capsizes, but a few lose calls!

The sailors in FJ#1 (left, further away) are figuring out what the hiking straps are for. Good fun, and the boat is really moving!

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We did not get in a good 'Baby Duck' drill (link) . The sailors were just getting familiar with the boats, and tacking, and keeping their weight located where needed (sometimes scrambling!). We did practice TACKING (link) and also STOPPING (link), so these skills will come in handy as we get further into sailing drills.




We are more than half-way thru the semester, and in order to pass, the basic/beginner sailors need to begin sailing drills. The advanced sailors also need practice too (we all do!), but today's session had excellent weather and everybody had a great time!


... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King




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