i had similar problems recently took my main into our local sailmaker who has a set up rig in his loft. his diagnosis was head board was drilled at wrong point for haliard to be vertical just as the main reached the top and the main was jamming. also out haul was not able to pull foot tight due to excess friction so fitted small steel/plastic shoe to foot. and it now all slides in and out beautifully.sail goes up 50 mm more and foot is equal tension allthe way along. also fitted toe right down by goose neck.

Alan Main <alan.gmain@...> wrote:

Hi Robin

          Thanks for your invaluable advice, I seem to be ticking most of the boxes apart from having the main luff tight, but I think that is down to the age and condition of the sail. I'm planning on fitting a cascade kicker to give more purchase, I raced her in light winds last night and finished 4th out of 13 boats so obviously depowering her is the problem. I'll keep you posted

 Alan 

----- Original Message -----

From: LOUVEL ROBIN

To: MicroClass@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 11:57 AM

Subject: Re: [MicroClass] Racing-pointing/spinnaker / Gem sail no 11

hi Alan im in the same situation as you learning a new boat.

you say shrouds are tight. they are a method of changing the sail shape slightly before you use the back stay. tighter outers reduce sail depth. you seem to have too much power in the sail is the luf tight enough when you set the sail without the cunningham? is the foot out haul moveing ok. are you stalling the boat by trying to point too high?also do not pinchbcomming out of a tack. once the centre plate has stalled it takes a time off wind to recover the situation.

i have found that wee need a crew of 3 because we neeed to depower the sails above a force 3 with only 2 of us.

plymouth sound sailor

Alan Main <alan.gmain@...> wrote:

Can anyone give me some hints/advice regarding the above. I've taken
part in 5 races now,the only race I did well in was in light winds. For
example I raced today in a force 4-5, lots of fun downwind, but made
lots of leeway to windward, even with a reef in the main and my jib
hanked on instead of my genoa. My stays are tight and I used the aft
stay to good effect, but still had bigger and slower boats passing me.
Also any advice on how best to handle the spinnaker, I've rigged up a
chute and sock affair but I'm still having  problems. Since I bought
the boat last year I've done lots of work on her but,as yet,I still
have the old/original sails,I hope to buy new sails for next season,
could this make a big difference??? Looking forward to some advice
All The Best
          Alan Main (NW Scotland)

---

To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre.