I bought a Taipan 4.9 and I think I might be doing something wrong with the tuning of this fine catamaran. I'm willing to drive to see anyone within a 6-8 hour drive from Knoxville, TN that would be able to take a look at the boat and see where I'm going wrong. Many thanks!
Oct 27th and 28th. A T4.9/F16 will be at Birmingham (AL) Sailing Club to sail in the BSC Cat Caper regatta. Not immediate satisfaction, but best I could do.
Confirm the week before, just to make sure.
Tom,
Thanks so much! However, as much as it hurts to say this, I'll will be out of the country those two days. Is there anyone you know of that I can contact from this sailing club that has a Taipan 4.9?
Paulio,
Describe us your problem and maybe we can help you a little throught the forum.
Or else we might be able to determine whether you problem can also be solved by a Blade owner. There are more of those around you at this moment
Wouter
Try these sites for help:
And the F18 Capricorn tuning guide might help a bit too ... certainly worth reading:
There will be two Blades at The Outback this weekend, http:/
Both of us live in Chattanooga so that may be an option too. I don't know how simular the two boats are. I know Jody sailed on Kirks Taipan a few weeks ago so he may know more.
Great to hear that you live in Chattanooga, TN. Here are my concerns:
1) Why does it seem like my Taipan is dragging through the water?
2) Do I have too much or too little mast rake?
3) As I have discovered, there is no adjustment for the rudders in regards to whether they are too far forward or too far back--which I was told will have a dramatic affect on speed and I'm concerned that this is the case.
4) The same holds true with whether the rudders are adjusted correctly, i.e., are the rudders pointing too far in or out?
I'm not savvy to the glossary of terminology used for catamarans so unless someone can explain things to me in detail, much of it may be over my head. I'm eager to get this catamaran sailing the way it was designed to sail--I just need someone who can help me out one way or another. That's why I'm willing to travel to wherever to get the answers to solve this problem.
Thanks.
In regards to you living in Chattanooga, I hate to impose, however, if you're up to it, I would bring my boat to you to check out. Let me know what you think.
Paulio
1) Why does it seem like my Taipan is dragging through the water?
A: You are sitting way too far back on the boat, sit up on top of the daggerboard, or even forward of the board in light air.
2) Do I have too much or too little mast rake?
A: Do you have a lot of weather helm? ie. If you let go of the tiller while close hauled, going upwind, does it turn quickly into the wind, go straight, or turn downwind?
3) As I have discovered, there is no adjustment for the rudders in regards to whether they are too far forward or too far back--which I was told will have a dramatic affect on speed and I'm concerned that this is the case.
A: As long as they are fully down, not kicked up, they should be ok for a place to start, you don't need to be playing with rudder rake yet.
4) The same holds true with whether the rudders are adjusted correctly, i.e., are the rudders pointing too far in or out?
A: This will make you slow, if the two rudders are not exactly, perfectly paralelle, they are acting as a brake. To see if they are paralelle, while the boat is on the trailer, lower the front of the trailer so you can put the rudders fully down in their normal sailing position. Take a tape measurer and check the distance between the leading edges and trailing edges of the rudders. Also, you can line one rudder up straight with the hull centerline, then walk over to the other rudder, see if it is also on centerline, but the tape doesn't lie. You can adjust the length of your crossbar to move your rudders in or out, so they are even.
I'm not savvy to the glossary of terminology used for catamarans so unless someone can explain things to me in detail, much of it may be over my head. I'm eager to get this catamaran sailing the way it was designed to sail--I just need someone who can help me out one way or another. That's why I'm willing to travel to wherever to get the answers to solve this problem.
Also, pick up a copy of Rick White's book, Catamaran Racing for the 90's, available on line here. Lots of great information in there.
Thanks.
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Paulio-Check you pm for more info on Chattanooga...
this is the Aussie Taipan web page will give you all the info needed. www.taipan.asn.au