File - Canadian Wayfarer Association

4 That the long toe straps are as comfortable as possible so that the sailors can work
efficiently.
Obviously there are many subdivisions within these major groupings, but the Wayfarer sailor, at
least initially, should be concerned with general areas of responsibility rather than become
obsessed with detail.
1. Heeling
Keeping the boat upright is perhaps the single most important aspect of Wayfarer boat speed.
If the boat is allowed to heel, the water has to travel around asymmetrical curves; the waterline
is shortened and the stern digs in. Not only does the boat go slowly, but it is also hard to steer
with massive weather helm, and then the boat goes sideways as the centreboard loses its grip.
The motto has to be: Keep the burgee above the crew’s head. This is obviously achieved by
easing out the mainsheet to reduce the amount of curvature in the main as soon as the boat
heels. In extreme circumstances, the genoa should go out, too.
The proper technique is to watch the gust coming towards the boat, decide whether it is going
to head or lift, and then, as it hits, have the sheet ready to ease, i.e. uncleat the sheet. As soon
as the boat heels, ease and keep easing, even if the main is backing. Once the gust has eased, the
main can be sheeted in again.The way to decide whether the approaching gust is a header or a
lift is straightforward. If the gust front looks closer to the bow than it does to the side, then
the gust will be a header. If the front appears to be closer to the side than to the bow, then it
will be a lift. In fact, it doesn't matter what happens as the gust hits, as long as the sailors are
prepared for its arrival. This system works best if both helm and crew remain fairly still and
sitting out. If either of the sailors keeps diving inboard too early, then the boat is unstable, and
the sails cannot be sheeted correctly. There is no need to keep moving about anyway, because if
the boat heels to windward, then all that is needed is to sheet the main in to lift the sailors up
out of the water. The only exception to the upright rule is in very light winds. Here the boat
needs to be heeled just enough to get the sails to set rather than flop about.
2. Fore and aft trim
A common fault often seen in Wayfarers is that the sailors sit too far forward when beating.
This sinks the bow and lifts the stern out of the water - reducing the water line length. In
simple terms, the helm stays behind the thwart in all conditions except in very light airs. The
crew should be close to the leeward shroud in very light winds, move aft to sit on the
centreboard box as the wind gets up a bit, and 15 à 20 cm (6-8”) behind the shroud while hiking
out. In very windy conditions at sea (with big waves), move even further aft to keep the bow up.
Off the wind, move aft only in planing conditions, and then just enough to keep the bow up. In
very windy condi-tions on a broad reach, both sailors can sit well aft to get the flatter sections
at the stern to work. Watch out though, for sinking the transom too much. A turbulent wash and
back eddying wake are the signs to watch for.
3 Use of the rudder
The rudder blade is fairly small, and, as it is parallel sided, the flow breaks away fairly easily.
So, overzealous use of the rudder (i.e. increasing its angle beyond 45º) will reduce its ability to
steer. This is particularly important when tacking or gybing. The front of the rudder blade
should be vertical. It should also be held down solidly by a pin (6mm (¼”) wood dowel is legal)
and/or a very strong downhaul shock cord. The tiller extension should be about 96-97 cm (38”)
long and may benefit from bumps of PVC tape, etc. to provide a better grip. Wherever possible,
help the rudder by using the sails. If you want to bear away, ease the mainsheet (to bring the
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