Most racing dinghies, particularly smaller ones like a 5O5 that don’t change to smaller rigs or sails as wind increases, have a way of reducing power as wind increases.
This often requires changing mast rake to rebalance the boat which also triggers a number of other necessary changes in sail trim as a result.
In this video Australian Yachtsman, Robin Duessen explains how he has used colour coding in his 5O5 to keep it simple.
The video explains a simple way of calibrating a rig to make changes quickly and without thinking as wind conditions change during a race,
This allows the crew to be able to make all these adjustments quickly without losing concentration on racing.
In the case of a 5O5 there are tuning grids available which give you settings of various controls for different wind strengths.
These calibrations have generally been determined by the top sailors over years of experience and require markings on lines and the boat so changes can be made with minimal thinking and in the knowledge that the settings will be correct.
Having worked out where the key controls that affect sail shape need to be (the tuning grids are a good starting point) colours are used as markers so when rake is changed all the other relevant controls are simply set to the same colour.
Done correctly this maintains the mast configuration to ensure it continues to suit the luff round cut in the mainsail and even how far out board the jib should be set.
Robin Duessen explains . . .
I would say if you want to know how to set a 5O5 up, Mike Holt’s video clinic is a must which we used initially” said Deussen after his second Australian Championship title.
Colours are something we found very easy to use as a calibration tool, more idiot proof than numbers, maybe it is only us that need to dumb it down.
My setup in colours are done in this order:
1 – Rake
2 – Ram
3 – Sidestay Tracks
4 – Jib/in & out
5 – C/board travel would be approx 250 mm along the back of the trunk, over 15 kts we also move it back and up with different holes in the board and top of the case.
Then l use my vang and cunningham as my accelerator.
This is all to keep the boom on the inside of the side tank which is a great guide.
Setting up the mast rake and travel is the most important thing, being able to get forward and back enough is critical.
We cut 25 mm out the back of our gate and moved our mast step position forward 2 holes (24mm) on the proctor mast step to be able to get the aft rake without bending the mast around the back of the gate when fully raked.
Also, because we moved the mast step in our boat the Ram track on the mast was now too short so I made a telescopic adjustment for the ram itself.
In light air I move it in then I can get my mast forward enough without reverse bending the mast.
RSS – Posts