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Phil Crawford's Sandhopper Sailing Tips

Introduction

Phil Crawford has generously shared his top Sandhopper sailing tips, drawn from years of racing experience and practical know-how on the water. Whether you are new to Sandhopper racing or looking to sharpen your competitive edge, these pointers cover everything from preparation ashore to tactics on the start line and boat handling under pressure. Taken together, they provide a clear, methodical approach to sailing faster, safer, and smarter.

Preparation Ashore

Make sure hull is clean
Get weather forecast
Check sailing instructions
Get a good crew!
Dont hoist genoa until ready to leave mooring
If wind against tide, lower main sail before picking up mooring

Rig Setup & Sail Trim

Tune rig for conditions:
- Shroud tension
- Genoa trim
- Set main halyard for the run
- Pull on Cunningham for the beat
If leach of genoa is flapping, pull on leach line until it stops
Mark sheets and halyards so you have a reference point

Spinnaker Handling

Launch spinnaker pole before hoisting spinnaker
Lower spinnaker pole height in light wind
Helm to hold spinnaker sheets during gybe to keep sail filling
Have barber haulers tight enough so that you can ease mainsail
In heavy weather, on spinnaker reach, bear away and dump the main to avoid broach plus ease kicker if need be

Boat Handling & Tactics

Helm to face forward when tacking the boat
When approaching finish line, pick the nearest end.
Discuss mark rounding
Before start, check which end of the line is favoured: sail up the beat, check compass bearings
Allow for the tide
Decide which way to go down the run
Plan your tactics!

Phil Crawford
S/H 158
Satisfaction

A long-standing Sandhopper competitor with decades of racing experience, Phil can be sailing sandhopper "Satisfaction" at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club.

Last updated 4:58pm on 25 February 2026