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Foiling for the first time 

Foiling dinghies provide a thrill unlike other forms of sailing. Managing the speed and acceleration is not a natural 
reaction, even for experienced dinghy sailors. It is not something that everyone can master on their first attempt. 
Remember your first time on a bicycle or sailboard which required some practice and persistence. 
 
You should first start in light to moderate, steady winds and flat water on an open bay without too much traffic. 

Even stopping requires some special skill! You will also, perhaps for the first time, experience true ‘apparent wind’ 

sailing and will be on the edge of control. You will need to be careful, patient and very persistent to get it right... but 
you will be well rewarded!! 
 
The unique wand system is a key innovation which enables the skipper to accurately select foiling height. Starting 
from displacement sailing, the boat can begin to foil reliably and safely just off the water surface. This gives the 
skipper a feel for foiling, limiting the risk of capsizing and crashing. The boat takes off with a rush but gives you time 
to get used to the massive apparent wind changes. If you do make mistakes, the hull is able to provide stability 
immediately. There is much less chance of crashing, as with other foilers. 

 

As you get more confident with the special skills required for foiling, you can raise the ride height progressively, 
getting higher, faster and even able to heel to windward for better upwind performance. If at any time you feel out 
of control, you can raise the wand, even while you are on the wings. This acts as a safety device, immediately 
lowering you to the water where you are once again under full control. 
  
Skeeta Foiling Craft provides you with the equipment to experience foiling. Foiling competently requires practice and

 

is something we recommend you get training/coaching for.  

 

 

 
 

Sailing 

First up, it is a good idea to get the feel of the boat (without foiling), understanding how to sheet on, sail upwind and 
downwind, trim the vang for power, tacking and gybing. Sailing a light scow is a lot livelier than most other dinghies. 
You should then be ready to feel your way into foiling. Lower the wand around 300mm which should enable the boat 
to just lift off and fly, just above the waves. This is the best way to begin as the boat remains stable and if you fall or 
tip over, the boat helps you stay upright. It should feel easy and safe to sail. 

 

Содержание NIKKI

Страница 1: ...NIKKI SKEETA OPERATING GUIDE vol 1 2 Mar 2021 ...

Страница 2: ... Light air sailing Planing upwind Planing downwind 2 Launching 3 Returning to shore and unrigging 3 Foiling for the first time 4 Sailing 4 Take off 5 Steering for balance 6 Safety Safety gear 8 Caution 8 Capsizing 9 Towing 10 Printed on recycled paper ...

Страница 3: ...ly remain parallel to the centreline of the boat so there is no net steering effect of the hull as it heels This provides immense stability while the helm remains completely balanced Not only are scows a pleasure to sail at any angle of heel but they have a light helm are easy to steer and sail in any conditions Without the need to steer in order to control the hull the rudder can be smaller with ...

Страница 4: ...old them in position Leave the wand fully retracted Hop aboard and sail away from the shore just like a normal dinghy Once clear of the shore and in deeper water ease the sheet release the clamp and lower the rudder by pulling the pull down rope and insert the retaining pin into the hole in the side of the rudder box Push the centerboard down fully and insert the centerboard retaining pin as menti...

Страница 5: ...massive apparent wind changes If you do make mistakes the hull is able to provide stability immediately There is much less chance of crashing as with other foilers As you get more confident with the special skills required for foiling you can raise the ride height progressively getting higher faster and even able to heel to windward for better upwind performance If at any time you feel out of cont...

Страница 6: ...p the boat moving and prevent the sail luffing while steering to keep the foils under the rig In stronger breezes you will soon find yourself going very fast downwind with the sail sheeted in quite tight Enjoy the rapid increase in speed and sheer thrill This is what foiling is all about Once you get used to reaching gradually head the boat up into the wind pulling the vang on sheeting in and lean...

Страница 7: ...nce Centreline foiling a dinghy is quite different to displacement sailing it is very much like riding a bike where you steer to keep your balance When sailing in displacement mode the righting arm is between the sailor s weight and the centre of buoyancy of the hull Refer to the diagram below As the boat heels to leeward the righting arm increases as the centre of buoyancy moves to leeward This p...

Страница 8: ...o not actively move your weight to provide balance or steer it the boat will fall over Fortunately the sail helps you a lot providing something to lean against just as with a sailboard which dampens the movement and provides a restoring force It is not sail trim alone which keeps the boat upright A lot of the skill is in steering with careful tiller movements just to keep the rig over the lifting ...

Страница 9: ...n the water especially when foiling When learning to foil sail only in steady gentle breezes in smooth waters Design Category C Inshore Designed for voyages in coastal waters large bays estuaries lakes and rivers where conditions up to and including wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to and including 2 metres may be experienced Always check weather forecast before sailing Always sail wit...

Страница 10: ...tion yourself behind the centreboard with your feet on the front bar of the wing close to the hull 3 Pull on the righting rope and lean backwards This will raise the rig out of the water 4 As the boat begins to become more upright ensure you move to either side of the wings and out of the way of the boat ...

Страница 11: ...ope off onto the appropriate position Steer the boat making sure the towing rope isn t touching the wand as this may result in damage to the wand For further questions or information please contact your Dealer Skeeta Foiling Craft Pty Ltd Melbourne AUSTRALIA skeetafoilingcraft com TIP When being towed with foils it helps to pull the wand down about 200mm This allows the main foil to lift slightly ...

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