Reefing sails?

[Clive Everest]

or a 200. I think that they are quite similar.

[Team Slatter]

I think that different rig setups and sail shapes are the way forward as it reduces complexity however it is a more costly situation.

[Team Slatter]

After todays sail in Spanish I now a have a storm jib

[roland_trim]

After todays sail in Spanish I now a have a storm jib

... and some very stylish hankis???

[Torchy]

Sounds like you have developed an automatic reefing system...ooops

[simon_jones]

Ben you also need to factor in that your hull is known for being slow in light winds. The lee's built the e5 and Paul the E6 to try and get better performance when the wind was lighter. That said she is still one of the fastest boats out there in a breeze. I think the cost argument for two suits is a non starter, most of the active fleet now have them and if you look at the wide and varied hull and rig options from early boats to newer ones it's all down to cost. A second main costs less than a second lifting foil, but we are a development class, if people want to sail a one design there are a shed load to choose from. Having sailed 29ers they are not all as even as the manufacturers would like us to believe.

[Team Slatter]

A link to the creation of the storm jib: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECisBnxxdQ&feature=youtu.be

[Graham Bridle]

Nice

[andy_peters]

Not just us who are having this fascinating discussion.....

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11338&title=reducing-sail-size

I haven't read it all but early concensus is smaller sails in bigger winds is a sensible approach

[Torchy]

Hmmm...it is quite complex isn't it?

I think our current consensus (as I understand it) of encouraging a small main but discouraging going further stands up well. No need for more rules and if someone wants to challenge the consensus they can.

Part way down the thread the spectre of multiple sails becoming multiple rigs was raised...apparently it saves money in the long run because your other gear doesn't get thrashed (where have we heard that before?)...but then of course your light wind rig/sails can be made very light to great advantage...and last 10 mins.

[Tom K]

Matt - maybe I need to yank that Cunningham harder then

⇧ This, reminded me of this ⇩

Draft too far aft in a main sail = not enough cunningham

Battens hard to pop in a tack = not enough cunningham

I suggest you wind some batten tension back on and give the cunno a yank.

Loco's cunno cleat location never made it the easiest to adjust, maybe this needs addressing?

[Torchy]

Yes, I think that is the issue Tom, that and worn out cam cleats which sometimes let go. I'm thinking of bringing the Cunningham right back to the transome where it will be next to the rudder T-foil purchase.

I'll see if leaving the kicker where it is works - it's easier to get to than the Cunningham.

Screw-type batten adjustment has solved the batten popping. I have easy adjustment of (particularly) upper batten tension and getting them to pop is easy and largely independent of Cunningham ie very light weather I slack them off a bit and can choose my Cunningham tension. If I can get out sailing enough I'm hoping to try soft-ish tension on battens at the top and see if the leech will release at the top in gusty conditions. Sam and I are still on the light side and I think would benefit from this.

Much of the issue for us though is simply practice time. I get out more than Sam but still not enough and Sam is still a bit wedded to his Xbox.