MAINSAIL
Mast Rake — Mast rake is the angle at which the mast tilts aft (backward) from vertical when measuring to the deck. The mast rake should be somewhere in the range of 28’ 4 1/2”- 28’ 6”. If you prefer to sail your boat in point mode, you will want to set your rake further aft as this helps the boat to point. If you prefer to sail lower angles and foot then you want the mast raked further forward to allow for acceleration. There are 2 ways to check if the mast is positioned at the correct angle:
#1 – Main Halyard Method: Connect the main halyard to a long tape measure being sure to note how your tape measure reads. For example, some tapes include the attachment piece and others do not. We prefer to use a metal tape as it does not stretch or blow around as easily. Raise the halyard until it is at full hoist position at the top of the mast. This is done by raising the halyard until the swedge above the shackle goes over the mast sheave at the top. When this happens you will see the shackle kick out horizontally. You then lower the halyard back down just until the shackle goes back to vertical. This is full hoist position. We encourage you to mark your halyard where it exits the cut in the mast where the sail feeds in so that you have a visual reference to when the shackle is in the correct spot and you are measuring to the same spot each time. This is also a great visual aid when hoisting the sails at the dock as you can see when the main is all of the way up and then make adjustments from there for wind conditions. Move the boom off center and remove the rudder and tiller. Stretch the tape back and measure the length from the top of the mast to the back of the center of the deck. The spot on the aft deck is right at the top of the radius of the rib that runs down the center of the deck. This should also be marked with a pencil to ensure you are going to the same mark each time. Your measurement should be in the range of 28’ 4 1/2”- 28’ 6”.
#2 – Jib Halyard Method: Take the jib halyard and lower the shackle so that it is barely touching the deck right in front of the mast. If you find that getting the shackle in this spot causes you to be between halyard clicks on the winch, then be sure to pull it forward with a similar amount of tension you need to pull it down to the deck. Swing the jib halyard forward to the forestay and mark the forestay right at the bottom of the shackle. Measure the distance from the forestay mark to the port side hole on the bow plate being sure to measure along the front of the forestay. The distance should be 15 3/4” to 16 ¼”. (This corresponds with a rake of 28’ 4 1/2”- 28’ 6” using method #1.)
Rig Tension:
Snug Rig: In terms of priority, rig tension comes in a distant second to mast rake. However, it can be used to help fine tune the rake into the desired range. I come from the “set it and forget it” school of thought. After ensuring my rake is at the desired number after I step the mast — I double check that the rig tension is somewhere in my preferred “snug” range of 90 – 110 lbs. Once these settings are confirmed, I won’t think about it again until the next time the mast goes up at a different regatta location!
Note: With the 1/8” forestay, the Loos gauge we primarily use does not offer a conversion at the tension noted above. We find that a range of 9 – 12 ½ is about where we like to be.
Loose Rig: With this system, no measurements are required because there is no measurable tension on the shrouds. Loose rigs vary in the amount of “slop” and can range from as little as 1” to as much as 6”. (“slop” is simply a term denoting how far the mast is able to rock fore and aft — as measured at the top of the mast). It should be noted that loose rigs can be hard on the base of the mast, as it grinds back and forth and eventually will begin to mushroom out… and it doesn’t have any competitive upside that I know of. In fact, I’m not aware of a single Flying Scot sailor who uses this antiquated method.
Main Halyard — It is better to err on the side of too loose than too tight. Raise the main until the luff is smooth and then ease it back until small wrinkles appear at the luff.
Performance Note: If you do hoist the main to full hoist then the luff tension will require you to trim the main hard to keep the main from backwinding (aka mainsail inversion) in point mode. Another option is to ease the jib and sail lower (foot).
Performance Note: If you do hoist the main to full hoist it is also recommended to ease the main halyard off a couple of clicks on the halyard winch when going downwind.
Mainsheet — Fine tuning, in addition to your standard point of sail trim, is imperative for optimal performance. Upwind, 3 – 6” adjustments in and out allow the boat to point higher when up to speed and easing allows the boat to fall off and accelerate. Ease to gain speed, then, once up to speed, trim back in for max point. When the boat starts to slow, ease to gain speed, and repeat.
Outhaul — It is better to err on the side of too tight than too loose. Tighten to create a very hard crease in heavy air, a tight crease in medium conditions and a loose crease in light air and in choppy water.
Note: Fine tuning your outhaul (ie easing downwind) is a small opportunity however it is often not worth the risk of forgetting to pull it back on upwind.
Cunningham — Cunningham usage is not recommended in light to medium conditions. However, it becomes important when you are overpowered in heavier air. With your main all the way up, tighten the cunningham hard. This adjustment pulls the draft forward which de-powers the sail. This can also help share in bending the mast which takes some strain off of the gooseneck if you are vanging heavily as well.
Note: A trick I learned from David Ames, is on days when we know there will be very heavy, sustained wind conditions and we are lacking sufficient crew weight to handle it — we put the cunningham to a new use by essentially turning it into the new tack of the sail. The critical difference here is that it must be done before raising the main (eg. preferably before you’ve even left the dock). Simply connect the cunningham hook and pull it all the way down securely to the boom. Now raise the main. This new method acts a bit like a reef in reducing the overall sail height and is very effective in de-powering the sail.
Vang – The vang is used to hold the boom down and maintain leech tension, especially when the mainsheet is being eased in breezy conditions to depower or in footing mode when going upwind. In puffy conditions it is important to ease the vang in between puffs for optimal performance as an over-tight vang will stall the mainsail.
Note: Always ease the vang prior to rounding the weather mark or before bearing off to prevent permanently bending your boom or breaking your boom or gooseneck.
JIB
Note: When attaching the tack of the jib to the jib tack wire shackle, be sure to straddle the jib tack wire around the forestay first. Doing this will help keep the tack forward and the load distributed properly.
Jib Halyard — Raise the jib until the luff is smooth and taught, then let it back a click or two until you see just the slightest hint of a crease or “crows foot” at the hanks (you need to be sailing upwind when you check this). Sometimes the jib halyard may slacken after a few tacks at the beginning of the day.. or if the wind pressure has changed. In either event, it may need a click up or down. I like to re-check it before the start of every race.
Fairleads — Some prefer to move them aft in heavy air and when you are overpowered. However, the majority of racers today do not move them at all and leave them in the furthest forward position all of the time.
Jib Trim – Trimming the jib in unison with the main is a huge opportunity for optimal performance. This requires good communication between skipper and crew. Upwind, micro adjustments with the top batten on the leech ranging from slightly hooked for point mode to slightly pointed out for foot mode, or to depower in big breeze conditions, are necessary to prevent the jib from closing down the slot between the main and the jib which helps to provide lift.