Back on the boat for a minute (any boat/catamaran). All non-expert boat drivers need to know what the combination of mast rotation and prebend can do. Best place for an explanation that I know of is
www.landenberger-sailing.comclick on sails then go to tuning guide A Class 2005. You will need to read this article several times. Well, maybe you won't, but I had to. (BTW, there is a really good F18 tuning guide there as well)
My other big mistake was sheeting. (both oversheeting and undersheeting at times)
And don't forget about weight distribution. Look at just how far forward the good sailors actually are on their boats when trapped out going up wind. I've seen some with one foot in front of the front main beam. (in certain wind conditions) Well, it keeps the sterns up and helps out with pointing I believe.(keeps the bows in the water which lengthens the water line?*!)
I think so many new cat sailors don't pay enough attention to the importance of prebend and rotation because we didn't even have to worry about that on our Hobie 16's......
And don't forget about the downhaul***************
Now, all you will need is another boat same as yours (and sailor) to go out and tune and test with.
