riding sail

[Jim Kloss]

We've joined the STX yacht club and Ambivalence is now riding on a mooring in Teague Bay. It's the first time we've kept her on a mooring. She's always sailed at anchor, and now she's doing the same on her mooring. Bad for chafe, I'm told.

I've tried a drogue off the stern, but that hasn't helped much. Has anyone had success with a riding sail? What dimensions? Should the board be kept up, down or in between?

All suggestions are welcome.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

PS for all those wanting a "southern" regatta, the St Croix International regatta is February 9 & 10! We only need five more boats for a one design start!

[dave]

I'm just asking here, is the rudder tied off? I hope so! I'd leave the board down to help damp the motion of the boat and to keep the bow from blowing from side to side as much.

[grandillusion]

is the line clipped to the bow eye or tied to one of your cleats, it should be on the eye

[Jim Kloss]

Yes, the rudder is tied off. Right now I'm leaving the board `1/3 down. Lines run to both bow cleats, creating a "bridle" and a "safety" to the bow eye.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

[grandillusion]

if the board is not all the way down it will "rock" side to side in the trunk, not good, I've found this out motoring with it half way down in shallow water, when down it "keys" in to the trunk and cannot rock

[Tom Elsen]

Hey Jim

It sounds like the wave set there at SCYC is working against the wind.

Perhaps try this. Use a big ol' shock absorber and set your bow eye up as the primary. See if that helps.

If so, tie off the secondary line(s) through the cleats. Then, fix a bit of shock cord or a light poly line about five feet out from the bow on the secondary. Dead end that light line several feet back on the toe rail so as to prevent a snarl with the primary.

See you in March.

[tpf]

I moored my S2 for about 8 years and had pretty good luck but I was in a tidal current on a river so there was always a flow. I always kept the board all the way down and I lashed my tiller to keep the rudder and dagger board in line.

I also used to tie a line to the back of my boom and I used to pull the boom off center. The line went from the end of the boom to a stern cleat then across the cockpit (around the tiller) and I tied it off on the other stern cleat. The I tightened the mainsheet to create a triangle that held the boom firmly in place. This held the boom tight and virtually eliminated and movement in the goosneck.

As far as chafe, the S2 is pretty safe. With the cleats so close to the edge of the bow there is not too much for the line to chafe on.

Good luck.

[Jim Kloss]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, but I went ahead and ordered a riding sail kit from Sailrite ($82); my wife sewed it up using a regular sewing machine. It looks good and has quieted the boat significantly; I think she rolls less too.

I'm still having trouble with the mooring ball twisting around the pennants; it seems that many boats in the harbor keep the ball on deck while moored. Suggestions?

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

[Gerry Connolly]

Put a "swivel" between the mooring ball and your mooring chain. It works for me.