|
|
Controls: |
|
Mainsheet |
the angle of the sail to the hull |
|
Horse |
the position of the mainsheet block across the
boat |
|
Kicker |
the bend the mast and therefore the fullness of
the sail |
|
Outhaul |
the depth of the sail especially in the lower
third |
|
Downhaul |
O the
position of the maximum depth of the sail O the
bend of the mast O the
openness of the leach |
|
Daggerboard |
the drag downwind and the leeward slip upwind |
Not many controls then. No rig tension, no mast rake, no jib sheeting angles. You can concentrate on getting the few right and more quickly begin to enjoy learning to race other boats. More complicated classes will have many more controls to master before they can get down to the fun!
SETTINGS. Develop your sense of speed and adjust controls around these suggested start points:
O
..medium winds and flat water: (hiking
fully and not overpowered)..
|
control |
upwind |
downwind |
|
Mainsheet:
|
75mm from block to block |
90+ run by lee- gusts bear away |
|
Horse |
As tight as possible |
As tight as possible |
|
Kicker |
Take up slack + a little more |
Eased – leach just able to flick open |
|
Outhaul |
Finger length from boom |
Hand length from boom |
|
Downhaul |
Leave some horizontal creases |
off |
|
Daggerboard |
down |
¾ up |
|
Balance |
Almost flat |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
|
Trim |
As far forward as possible |
As far forward as possible |
O
..medium winds and waves: (waves tending to
upset the boat upwind).
|
control |
upwind |
downwind |
|
Mainsheet:
|
75mm from block to block |
90 – play the waves |
|
Horse |
As tight as possible |
As tight as possible Tight |
|
Kicker |
Take up slack + a little |
Off – leach just able to flick |
|
Outhaul |
Looser than flat water |
Slightly tighter than flat water |
|
Downhaul |
Take out all the creases |
off |
|
Daggerboard |
down |
½ to ¾ up |
|
Balance |
Slight heal to leeward |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
|
Trim |
250mm back from above |
Forward and back-ride the waves |
O
..Over powered: (fully hiking and letting
mainsheet out upwind)..
|
control |
upwind |
downwind |
|
Mainsheet:
|
As above – let off in gusts |
As far out as you dare. 80 max |
|
Horse |
As tight as possible tight |
As tight as possible Tight |
|
Kicker |
Take up slack + lots more! |
As much off as you feel safe with! |
|
Outhaul |
Width of wrist from boom |
Hand length from boom |
|
Downhaul |
Loads-until front stops backing |
Off |
|
Daggerboard |
¼ up |
½ up |
|
Balance |
Almost flat |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
|
Trim |
250mm further back |
Well back- prevent nosedive |
O
..Looking for more power..
|
control |
upwind |
downwind |
|
Mainsheet:
|
300mm off block to block |
90+ and by the lee |
|
Horse |
As tight as possible tight |
As tight as possible Tight |
|
Kicker |
Take up the slack |
Off until leach starts to flick |
|
Outhaul |
Width of wrist |
Length of hand |
|
Downhaul |
Slack |
Off |
|
Daggerboard |
Down |
½ to ¾ up |
|
Balance |
Very slightly healed to leeward |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
|
Trim |
Forward |
Forward-stern out of water |
O
..Looking for any power at all! (very
little wind)..
|
control |
upwind |
downwind |
|
Mainsheet:
|
300mm off block to block |
90+ and by the lee |
|
Horse |
Allow shackle to cross tiller |
Allow shackle to cross tiller |
|
Kicker |
Take up the slack |
Until leach starts to flick |
|
Outhaul |
Reasonably tight-finger length |
Reasonably tight-finger length |
|
Downhaul |
off |
Off |
|
Daggerboard |
down |
½ to ¾ up |
|
Balance |
Leeward heal- reduces friction |
Well healed to leeward |
|
Trim |
forward |
On bulkhead |
O
Many experienced helms talk about getting feedback
from the tiller extension. Grip it loosely and it will tell you things. Make a
change to a setting and feel the effect.
O
These
settings are only start points – make your own mind up.
Further advice needed? Feel free to phone 01243 379444
David Cockerill