Still cant point compared to what?

Work out your tacking angle then work through your sail shaping controls until you get the right adjustments. I use a tactik which is just right for the job but a GPS will work also. Analogue compasses are useless. Aim for tacking through less then 90 degrees.

Maybe you need to swap some of that speed for height? Your more likely to get to the top mark first if you sail a shorter distance, unlikely to consistantly win upwind drag races with F18s and Taipans.

If you diamond wires adjust seperately first tighten on the beach until they are both firm then sight up the mast to make sure the mast is straight and adjust to straighten mast, halyard is an ideal stringline for this.

Setup your diamonds on the water, point the rotation at the daggerboard case then tighten both diamond wires the same amount until the windward wire is just coming loose when trapezing. Recheck your mast is straight when you return to the beach.

Check you spreader rake also, tips level with back of mast should get you in the ball park.

Not much point making adjustments until you know how bad the problem is, using other boats isn't much use, even if you borrow a tacktik and come up with a number you will at least have something to check against when you make your adjustments.

Darryn
1782