Europa Dinghy Analysis #MozzySails

21 thoughts on “Europa Dinghy Analysis #MozzySails”

1. Interesting! Will try on my Finn next time I go out. One difference I spot is that backwards the tiller extension is earlier on the right side and less at risk of getting caught under the boom. But that could be changed. I also wonder about your experience with roll tacking. You are putting your forward foot to lee before initiating the tack. Can you quickly windward heel and still get your foot to the other side? Or is it more a medium wind tack? So many questions…

2. That brings back good memories! That's how I used to tack with the tiller extension.

3. Interesting, as a learn to sail coach who works hard to have kids learning the forward facing behind the back switch technique to see this suggest I should be more open to kids doing what feels comfortable to them.

4. I always did this as a kid, especially with a old Topper where the main sheet was aft. Never got out the habit despite coaches trying to instruct otherwise, I could just do it faster this way.

5. get a slimmer life jacket then your hands can move easier

6. Well that's a good idea!

7. Certainly against the "standard" techniques taught around the world, but "standard" are only that way until someone uses a different technique and wins, then everyone is on the "lets do it that other way". Fast methods are proven, until they are beaten. In your technique, need to maximise the "pump" at the end (this is what roll tacks are all about) …. boat needs to be heeled right over (as close to capsize as possible), then pulled back upright, noting that at that moment apparent wind angle also moves "aft" briefly during the pump, so having the sheet off a little bit is a good thing.

8. Absolutely agree. I always tack looking backwards and am forever told off by ‘experts’ that I can’t see when the boat is on the wind on the new tack. Well I’m on the other side before we get into the perfect position on the new tack…

9. As a Contender sailor I probably forgot how to tack facing forwards :-D. One aspect I found to be important is consciously deciding where to look at during the tack. For example quickly checking for traffic to new leeward while under the boom, while standing up already rotating the shoulders to check the sail an wind indicators as early as possible.

10. On the facing forward method, you’ll have a much easier time getting the tiller around if you slide your mainsheet hand along the sheet and do the hand exchange while you hop up to flatten as you get into the toestrap. It’s quite an effective method of dealing with long tillers like that (like in an ILCA too)

11. What is the name of this dinghy? I've never seen a boat like this for single handed

12. Am I the only one that sees the labels are swapped. If today is Opposite Day, I didn’t get the memo.

13. Hardest thing facing backwards is knowing when to stop turning. It was suggested to me that feeling the breeze on my a… hairs would tell me where the wind was relative to my vessel's direction. You might use the wind on your arms (triceps) given how much you're wearing but it's the point where your luff stops flapping that should guide you. How do you identify that while facing backwards.

14. Funny but i always did what you have just shown, Port forward and Starboard backward… I dont know why that when i was at my fastest, it was always this way..

15. I would never recommend to anyone to face backwards during a tack. It's actually seriously dangerous.

16. Is the boom slightly higher towards the clew end so by facing forwards more headroom so easier to stay on your feet rather than kneeing so you can hike quicker on the new side?! Also when racing you may need to see other boats if beating upwind on the first leg? All looks good to me!

17. In albacore sailing some of us (skippers) also tacked facing backwards, while our crew tacked facing forwards. This allowed us also the ability to keep eyes on the course and boats around us while tacking. Useful in match races.

18. I have re taken my rya after years of no sailing, i was instinctively doing backwards tack but now you are taught forwards because main sheet is front now. My suspicion is the front main sheet swop is down to plastic hull technology not being able to stand the stresses of rear travellers. Backwards still feels more natural and easier to see where the rudder is etc and less reliant on the extension , but ill keep practicing front

19. @mozzy. Think second time you mixed up the text on back vs fwd.

20. That’s very interesting to See, I always have my rear to the front aswell.

    Probably because of Experience with outboard Motors before anything.

    Never knew it was probably faster too

21. More roll to get you standing more vertical for the hand switch. Also weight aft lifts the bow to help with rotation.

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