RS Vareo, Rigging Manual

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3. SAILING HINTS
3.1 Introduction
The RS Vareo is a new breed of single-handed dinghy with an asymmetric gennaker
– it will feel different to sail compared to many other boats. It will be a challenge to
learn to sail the boat to its full potential, let alone handling the asymmetric gennaker.
Therefore, you will find it a lot more enjoyable if your first few sails are in a moderate
breeze to enable you to concentrate on sailing the boat and not just trying to survive.
Most importantly, it will take you time to get used to the boat, as with any new boat.
So, take your time and just enjoy your exciting new boat!
3.2 Tacking
Tacking the RS Vareo is much the same as any single-handed dinghy. Some tips to
bear in mind are:
• Make sure that the boat is level and sailing as fast as possible before initiating
the tack .
• Be prepared to ease the mainsheet enough as the boat comes onto the new
tack so that the boat does not heel or is blown head to wind .
3.3 Gybing (mainsail only)
Always gybe with the boat sailing as fast as possible. In breezy conditions the
helmsman should steer back into the gybe as the boom comes across, so that the
boat is travelling straight downwind as the mainsail fills with wind on the new side.
3.4 Sailing with the Asymmetric Gennaker
Sailing with an asymmetric gennaker is where all similarity to existing single handers
ends, and where the real fun begins! Don’t be too hasty to get the kite up – it makes
sense to have familiarised yourself with the boat and the angles of sailing downwind