Sailing and Crewing on a Lightning

The following are articles and other information that have been identified as particularly helpful to Lightning Skippers and Crew Members.

Gybing the Spinnaker
Article written by Pat Dolan appearing in LSC's Crew Notes May 23, 2003.

Connecting and Disconnecting Lightning Shrouds
Mike Moody and Pat Dolan report the following method for disconnecting or connecting the shrouds without adjusting the turnbuckles will enable you to avoid having to readjust the tension in the shrouds each time you step or unstep the mast.

Recovering from a Capsize
Article on ILCA website by John Schneider with information on how to recover from a Lightning capsize.

The Art of Crewing - Mastering the Forward Crew's Position
Article on ILCA website by Adam Walsh, winning forward crew at the Lightning 1997 North Americans.

Trimming the Front
Ched Proctor, North American Champion in 1993 and 1994, tells how to trim the foresail in this article on the ILCA website.

Crew Communication
June 1997 Article from ILCA website written by Hale Walcoff, 1991 World Champion.

Use Sail Trim to Help Turn Your Boat
Written by David Dellenbaugh, 1991 World Champion, appearing on ILCA website.

Going Upwind in a Chop
By Greg Fisher, 1990 North American Champion, on ILCA web site.

Balancing the Lightning
1993 North American Champion Brian Hayes wrote this article. On ILCA website.

Crew Weight and Weight Distribution
Article from ILCA website written by Robert Smither.

When the Going Gets Light
An article from the ILCA website on light air sailing by Greg Fisher.

Heavy Wind Sailing - Depowering for Speed
How to keep the boat sailing fast and under control in heavy winds. An article on the ILCA website written by Tim Healy, 1997 North American Champion.

Understanding Jib Sag
In this ILCA website article, 1987 Junior North American Champion and 1990 Canadian Open Champion Dave Starck explains the mysteries of jib sag.