Rough Water [Daniel Hillyer]

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Daniel Hillyer wrote:

I have recently bought Dart (1261) and it is giving my daughter and I many hours of fun. I am new to Cat sailing though and wonder whether I am doing something wrong - I sail on Plymouth Sound and whenever there is a decent breeze the sea also seems to get quite rough and the waves constantly slam into the front beam stopping us in our tracks. Should I be lifting the windward hull out of the water more or are Darts generally better suited to flat water due to the short distance between the front beam and the water?

Thanks - Dan

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Dartful Codger replied:

Wind against tide will always produce rough choppy water, wind with tide will give smoother but more rolling swell.
When beating to windward, try sailing freer - i.e. DO NOT 'pinch', and try to constantly sail down a wave rather than through it, although this can be almost impossible when there is a short 'chop'. However, you should be constantly looking at the water immediately in front of you, and varying your course accordingly to achieve the above, rather than rigidly sail a straight line course which slams you through every wave.
Yes, it is better to lift the windward hull when going to windward, but only so it kisses the tops of the waves, and reduces the drag on the boat - NO FURTHER.
This should keep you a little drier and hopefully go even faster!
Paul Smith (1961 Beaver S.C.)

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Daniel Hillyer replied:

Thanks very much for your advice - I'll try to do as you suggest. It just annoyed me when a Hobie passed by with seemingly no problem!