Going to your first event or race. A catamaran sailing podcast

Going to your first catamaran sailing race event is a really great idea, everyone should do it. It’s a great way of finding out how well you’re sailing the boat as well as being great fun.

This is not a tactics, strategy or how to race video, more of a guide on what preparations should be made before going to your first event.

Going to an event, maybe a regional championship or long distance is a great way to improve your sailing, pick up some tips and meet a lot of like minded people.

Prerequisites

You should be able to pretty confidently be able to handle your boat around an upwind downwind course.
To be able to stop your boat and sail slowly. That will be very useful on the start line.
You should have at least a basic knowledge of right of way rules.

Before you go – you should do as much preparation as you can:

You want to be as prepared as possible, get as much done to your boat as possible at home or at your club where you’ll have more time and better facilities than at the event.

As soon as you’ve decided that you’re going to go, enter the event early. That is your way of making it real that you’re definitely going,
Make sure that your boat is going to be class legal – if you have any parts which are not original check with the class association to see what is allowed.

Last sail before taking boat apart for transport:
Check for anything that could be improved
Check for any parts or lines that need replacing – bear in mind that brand new rope can be very slippery!
If you’re transporting the platform assembled tighten the trampoline and bolts before you go.
Check to see if the rudders need tuning – only take on a full tuning if you’re confident that the end result will be an improvement.
Check the batten tension – are there any creases in the batten pockets? If so tighten the battens to remove them.
Wash your boat. (although if you’re going a fair distance on a trailer it’ll need another wash when you arrive.
Make sure that you have a new mast bearing (if you use one)
Pack sailing kit – for various temperatures.
Pack spares and tools that you have available – think about things that could possibly go wrong.
Make sure that you have the right paperwork – insurance, measurement certificate, class association membership etc
Have you got a watch with a countdown timer for the starts?  You’ll be lost on the starts without one.
for the full list of sailing instructional videos:
https://totaljoyrider.com/pages/joyrider-tv

Joe’s Patreon Pge
https://www.patreon.com/joseph_bennett

Sailing gear hand picked
https://www.amazon.com/shop/josephbennett

Or follow what’s going on
https://www.facebook.com/totaljoyrider/
https://www.instagram.com/totaljoyrider/

#catsailing
#joyridertv