Posted by Magnus Smith on April 05, 2014 at 03:50:48 user Magnus.
In Reply to: Re: A SWALLOW'S TALE posted by Adam Quinan on April 05, 2014 at 02:41:35:
The Swallow used in the 1974 film is 12ft long compared to the "between 13 and 14ft" mentioned in S&A. Her mast just fits inside her, which I think(?) applies to the real Swallow too; you can infer mast lengths from that (half a foot less). The film Swallow's boom hardly extends beyond the transom at all.
The long keel (instead of centreboard) makes her very stable in a straight line. I once sailed her alone, left the tiller to its own devices, and went to sit in the bows like Roger (taking the mainsheet with me). She just carried on going straight beautifully!
Unfortunately the flip side of this means she doesn't tack readily and needs careful handling to make it round to the new side. I learnt the knack eventually! Gybing is easier as you are going faster and not fighting the wind.
I'd been used to modern dinghies prior to 2010 when we bought her, and was used to flinging the tiller from side to said and having the boat instantly respond. A whole different ball game....
She will display weather helm when heeled, same as any dinghy. I've never felt I am fighting the tiller too much. You can't really hike out to counterbalance the wind as the gunwhale is thin and uncomfortable to sit on. However, I have found that sitting on a wooden seat with your knees higher than your hips gives you a painful bum after 5 hours sailing anyway.