At the end of March I plan to sail my Blade for the first time. I've picked it up at Catamaranparts 2 weeks ago but I forgot to check the setup there ....
Is there a basic setup ? (2-up, +/- 135 kg).
Things like angle of mast to the beam, tension of 'verstaging' -> iron cables that keep the mast up, ...
I'm not quite into the English sailing vocabulary, so forgive me ...
Regards,
Gill
The basic set up is:
Mast straight up, unless you develop weather helm, then rake it back until it is just very slightly weather helm.
Stays should be as tight as you can, without inhibiting mast rotation.
NEVER slacken the main sheet while the spinnaker is up, you will break your mast.
I weigh 100 kilos, so must carry my weight as far forward as possible. If the sterns are making any noise at all, you're too far back.
This is a very subtle boat, it is easy to over sheet and mast rotation must be just right. Start off with the rotator pointing at the shrouds and adjust from there.
Congratulations on the new boat and good luck!!
With the superwing mast you should actually start of with the mast rotator pointing at the daggerboards (and not the shrouds).
Wouter
Gill,
I will send you the pictures there are been taken and will tell you where to start.
I can imagine that the info during pick up was a lot but i will put it on paper.
The mast rotation needs to start at the outside of the rearbeam and than you have to look at the sail and adjust a bit by bit. Also use the downhaul this is also doing a lot.
The angle of the mast was already in the good position to start with so do not change the back stays. If you think you have to much force forward put the mast a bit backwards and not forwards this will increase the pressure on the nose.
When you are sailing you have to feel about the balance of the boat , this is critic and needs some training.
I will make a mail and send this to you.
Regards,
Hans
Gill,
The mast set up written is when you are sailing up wind. Do not do this mast position downwind with the spinaker because the mast will come of.
Tikipete is right about the sheet tension with the spinaker.
Regards,
Hans
Pete,
I think you've got it the wrong way round - rake the mast forward to get rid of weather helm. I've now got mine raked a fair way forward as I had quite a bit, especially when sailing 2-up.
Paul
Gill,
If you have any doubts about setup you should talk to Hans.
You will find that he has a lot of knowledg that will help. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new boat.
Also when you finally get sailing -how about some pics?
I love pics of sailing boats and in particular pics of cats sailing. I'm still a bit like a kid in a candy store when it comes to cats sailing. I hope that never changes.
Regards,
Phill
Hey there everybody,
Thanks for the information.
As soon as the cat will touch his first salty water, I'll make sure to have some pictures !
Once I've been sailing a bit, I'll be back with some comments and probably a lot of questions !
Regards,
Gill