Thistle Downwind

This downwind footage was taken in mid-November while sailing on Lake Erie.

We set this up to learn about the upwind characteristics of the mast set up with a controlled tune.  This downwind footage will show you just how unstable the Thistle mast is.  Generally we see a lot of fore/aft bending when we are blast reaching, but what is surprising is the amount of side/side movement.  Follow the spreader location as it relates to the rail.

Focus, too, on how the boat accelerates just after the spinnaker is set and subsequently eased.  It shows you just how critical it is to ease the spinnaker and open the slot between the spinnaker and the mainsail.  Middle crew is constantly playing the sheet to ensure that the spinnaker isn't strapped.

The forward crew is doing three things constantly:  1) playing the vang (ease to depower, tighten to power up); 2) looking for breeze; 3) moving weight fore/aft.