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November 2004
The Newsletter of Spinnaker Club, Ringwood
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CentreBoard |
November 2004 |
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The Newsletter of Spinnaker Club, Ringwood |
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Tuning brings to mind images of Yehudi Menhuin bent over his violin straining to detect those subtle nuances that only experts can understand. The guys at the front of our fleet probably tune their boats like this but we mere mortals need more tangible help like dimensions, weight and the like. Paul Irons recently held his excellent training/tuning session at the Club, so I took the opportunity to measure as many Solos as possible and to look for any common features or measurements in the faster boats For what it’s worth these are tabulated below. Sails can be cut to suit the weight of the helm and the type of sailing you want to do. So assuming that you match the sail, other factors need considering. Where you sit in the boat is important and was covered in detail in Paul’s course, as was the need to keep the boat level on all points except downwind. The major item of variation is the mast and how to rig it. Although many mast types and makes are used they all must meet the bending characteristics detailed in Rule 10 (4), see your Solo Measurement rules book. The mast gate is closely defined and its forward and rearward edges have no tolerance. Thus the maximum slot length is 89mm Rule B4. Mast sections are also defined, as is the maximum movement fore and aft in the slot of 26mm Rule 10(9). The mast heel can be moved, though not whilst sailing. Thus mast rake can be varied widely as was seen in the photo taken on Paul’s training day. You will note that the most rake was on the fastest boat there. Solos are unusual in having standing rigging that is slack when at rest. The movement in shrouds was measured with the boats rigged, set into wind so no pressure on the sail and set level both fore and aft and abeam. No mainsheet or kicker tension, just the weight of the boom and sail. |
The specially commissioned ACME Slackometer was used to determine the total sideways movement at 2 metres above the chain plate, and the clearance from the outer band on the boom to a straight edge across the gunwales was also taken. Another dimension check made was the clearance between the front edge of the mast to the bulkhead. This is suspect because the bulkhead position has a builder’s tolerance, in an attempt to further define mast rake. Mast Rake There are two good starting points 1. With mast chocks out and the boat level, push the mast sternwards until it touches the back edge of the slot. The forestay should be just tight. Now push the mast forwards until it touches and the shrouds should be just right. 2. Measure from the band at the top of the mast to the point inside the boat where the transom meets the keel/king plank bang on the centreline. This should be 6.25 metres. How to sail your Solo Watch Ian, Paul Stephen, etc. Keep it flat, hike harder, concentrate and remember the most important piece of kit on the entire boat is still the nut on the end of the tiller. John Clarke
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