How many crews are needed for an etchell?
What is the ideal Etchells crew size? The crew weight limit is 285 kg. (629 lbs.), and you can either race with three or four crew members.
How do you rig Etchells?
RIG SETUP WHILE RUNNING Take out all the blocks in front of the mast (completely lower the step block) after you get the spinnaker up. Ease the backstay off until the mast just rest on the front of the partners. The tip of the mast has moved through several feet, and the entire mast is now angling forward in the boat.
What do you say when jibing?
If you are trying to jibe around some point, you should time it so that you just finish pulling in your sail as you pass the point. Step 4: Immediately prior to jibing, helmsman says, “Jibe Ho!” Again, just like a tack, you are informing everyone on your boat that you are about to execute the turn.
How do I get my sailboat to point higher?
Less prebend will make your mast straighter which will make the main deeper and can help create the power needed to point higher so try a slightly straighter mast to push some depth into your main and create a more powerful shape.
How long is an Etchells sailboat?
30.50 ft
Etchells
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| LOA | 30.50 ft (9.30 m) |
| LWL | 22.00 ft (6.71 m) |
| Beam | 7.00 ft (2.13 m) |
How long is an Etchells?
30’6”
Long and slender, the Etchells is one of the larger 3-4 man keelboats in recent history. A narrow waist at 6’11” and a 22′ waterline belies an overall length of 30’6”. The boat displaces 3,700lbs all up and draws 4’6”.
How long is an Etchells mast?
Etchells
| Development | |
|---|---|
| LOA | 30.50 ft (9.30 m) |
| LWL | 22.00 ft (6.71 m) |
| Beam | 7.00 ft (2.13 m) |
| Hull appendages |
What to say before tacking?
The Helm declares that they are beginning to tack by saying, “Hard-A-Lee”. There are a couple variations on this command and if you want to say something else, it’s your boat, just make sure everyone on your boat understands what you are commanding.
What’s the difference between a jibe and a tack?
Tacking is when the bow (front of the boat) passes across the wind. Jibing is when the stern (back of the boat) through the eye of the wind.
What makes a sailboat point well?
At the most basic level, a boat points well when its sails and keel have a high lift to drag ratio, and the hull, deck, rigging, and everything else on the boat produces as little drag as possible.
What is point mode in sailing?
Most sailors recognize that sailing in point mode, or point “gear,” puts the boat in a fragile, somewhat demanding trim and tune. If the boat is sailed too high or too long in point gear, it can easily stall, and you’ll slip sideways.
How much does an Etchells weigh?
Etchells
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Boat weight | 3,325 lb (1,508 kg) |
| Draft | 4.50 ft (1.37 m) |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
Why sail the Etchells?
Etchells sailors are enthusiastic and loyal supporters of their boat and class association. The Etchells is a big, fast, simple, stable, and sleek racing sloop that can be sailed competitively and in comfort by three or four average sailors.
What is the best way to start racing the Etchells?
Anyone who is new to racing the Etchells is best advised to keep things simple and focus first on boat handling and basic race management (starts, mark rounding, finding clear air, etc.). Just get the rig set up in a workable (base) setting and focus on sailing the boat around the course.
How much does an Etchells boat cost?
Fortunately, the Etchells has three world-class boat builders on three continents. Second-hand boats are also readily available (see class website), ranging from $3,500 US for a starter boat to $60,000-90,000 for a boat in tip-top race condition.
When sailing upwind what is the best way to balance the helm?
When sailing upwind, we recommend focusing on helm balance as much as the actual sectional shape of the sails. In no boat more so than the Etchells do you trim the entire sail package together, rather than set up the mainsail and headsail individually.