Foot straps - recommended location

[Mike (#107)]

My wife and I bought a 29er in August, and we're practicing for
Midwinters. The footstraps on our boat are at the extreme aft end of
the rail, which is obviously not the best position. How far forward
should we move them?

[Jen Glass]

I always sail with mine at the extreme aft end of the rail, as do most 29er sailors. When it comes time to use the footstrap, you really want to get your weight as far back as possible. Footstrap conditions mean it is too bumpy for the crew to stand on the rail without some securing to keep them from flying around. When its this bumpy you've got to get your bow up in the air and away from those waves. Since you're putting your aft foot in the strap, the aft end of the rail is a good spot for it. This does, however, mean that the crew is in some form straddling the skipper. Some other teams put the foot strap just in front of the skipper if they are sitting all the way back, but I'd say this is a clear minority. Straddling the skipper actually provides some additional stability for the crew which can be pretty useful in those conditions.

 

Other opinions?

--



Jennifer Morgan Glass

[Mike (#107)]

Just to clarify... I'm talking about 15-20 knot conditions, where we
get up on a screaming plane, are having tons of fun, then as soon as
the boat slows down (from a wave, wind shift, or poor spinnaker
trimming), I'm flying forward to the headstay. Even in the flat water
at Coyote Point, when it gets windy I have some trouble staying at the
back of the boat. I thought it sounded like a good idea to move the
footstrap forward and put my forward foot into it. Then I can keep
that foot attached to the boat to brace against deceleration.

Thanks for the helpful responses.

[Ian Bruce]

Hi Mike,
You have just bought into a successful One-design boat and, while you may
well have your reasons for wanting to move them, unfortunately that is where
the straps have to stay! They are in the same position on well over 1000
boats.

Just out of curiosity, you should ask yourself what the skipper would use to
hike off when sitting at the very back of the gunwale. They are there quite
often!

Best regards
ian

[Ian Bruce]

I misinterpreted you first email as in footstraps = hiking straps and rail =
grabrail in the bottom of the boat. Apologies.
Ian

-----Original Message-----
From: westcoa...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:westcoa...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike (#107)
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 9:06 AM
To: West Coast 29ers