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5.
For a roll tack, the crew should always be the first across to the other side after the boat has gone through the
wind.
6.
As the tack is nearly completed, the skipper should be sure to stay exactly on the new course, and not fall
down to a close reach direction, or you will be losing valuable ground to weather.
7.
The mainsheet should be sheeted tight during the tack until the boat goes through head-to-wind, and then it
should be eased a foot or two.
8.
On a roll tack, the crew should immediately head for the aft leeward corner of the boat while the tack is being
initiated.
Rick's answers - 1.T, 2.T, 3.T, 4.T, 5.T, 6.F, 7.T, 8.F
Here is a brief discussion of my answers for the Performance Sailing Quiz on the Catamaran Roll Tack.
1.
To initiate a good catamaran roll tack, push the helm over with steadily increasing pressure as skipper and
crew move aft toward the windward corner. True. First, remember you are coasting through the tack so
pushing too slowly will cause you to run out of speed before you complete the tack (in 'irons' again), and if
you shove the rudders over too quickly or too far, they will stall and act as breaks (in 'irons' again). Use
smooth steadily increasing pressure. As the boat slows, you can turn the rudders further, but never push them
past about 45°. Second, the skipper and crew should move to the rear windward corner to bring the bows up,
and allow the boat to pivot on one corner through the turn.
2.
The mainsheet should always be tight as you begin your tack. True. As you start your turn, pull in any
additional mainsheet that you can. This keeps the power on as long as possible and the pressure on the
mainsail acts as a weather vane and helps turn the boat into the wind during the initiation of the tack.
3.
During the tack, the skipper should never beat the crew over to the new side of the boat, but rather stay on the
old windward, aft corner until the boat is on a close reach for the new direction. True. Stay in the aft corner
and concentrate on a smooth turn and roll out of the turn slightly past (below) a normal course. Because you
have eased the mainsheet (see question 7), the boat will not fly the new windward hull except in extreme
conditions. In heavy wind or big waves, move across sooner, but not too soon. When you do move, move
across and forward, trimming the main as you go.
4.
It is important to never let go of the tiller during a tack or gybe, otherwise the rudders will straighten, even if
for an instant, and the maneuver will be slowed way down. True. Again, remember that you are coasting
through the tack and the boat is being slowed by wind and water friction. Don't waste any of this speed and
energy by going straight or wiggling your rudders back and forth, get through the turn smoothly and get the
power back in the sail.
5.
For a roll tack, the crew should always be the first across to the other side after the boat has gone through the
wind. True. After moving to the rear with the skipper for the first part of the tack, the crew must then move
across and forward, bringing the jib across and holding down the new windward hull. The crew makes this
move as the boat goes through the wind.
6.
As the tack is nearly completed, the skipper should be sure to stay exactly on the new course, and not fall
down to a close reach direction, or you will be losing valuable ground to weather. False. Because you have
lost speed while coasting through the tack, you must accelerate back to full speed. You do this by easing the
mainsheet, which increases the power in the sail (like shifting into low gear) and sailing slightly below a close
hauled course which also helps with power. As the boat accelerates, sheet in smoothly and bring the boat up
to a close hauled course.
Hobie University, NAHCA
Page 48
31 Mar 02
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