Catamaran

Catamaran

this an outline of the training materials for using the catamaran at mit.

twin hulls versus monohull. weight of boat vs weight of crew.

Rigging

putting the boat in the water. docking line. tying up to the dock in various wind directions. daggerboards. how to adjust the trapeze lengths. how to raise and secure the main sail. outhaul. barber haulers. mast rotator. jib furler. rudder cams.

De-Rigging

docking line. daggerboards. furl jib. release main sail. rudders up. pulling the boat out of the water.

Sailing

weight matters. fore-aft depending on wind strength.

Tacking

roll tack as much as possible. back with jib if necessary. ease main sheet through the tack, tighten once wind is on other side of sails.

Gybing

do not throw crew off the boat.

Reaching

use the barber hauler. mast rotator should be loose. pull daggerboards for more speed.

Beating

tight mast rotator. keep bows in water, but not too far. do not over-tighten jib.

Capsizing and Righting

do not fall/jump onto the mainsail. do not fall/jump onto the jib. do not stand on daggerboards. get righting line over top of hull as soon as possible to avoid turtling. need 250 pounds or more to right the boat. ease main sheet but do not release sheet or traveler. jib sheet should be tight. rotate boat so mast just about into wind, with wind coming under mast. grab dolphin striker as boat rights.

Tips and Tricks

how to avoid pitchpoling. when easing the main still results in capsizing. skipper out to the wire first, then crew. crew moves more in variable air. skipper and crew intertwined to reduce drag.