Eric, I measure mast rake essentially the same way Andrew outlined. After changing the rigging, I measured it by the chain plate hole used for the forestay, I also kept the factory setting for the diamond wires.
Basically, I found that when sailing sloop rigged the Taipan pretty much liked the standard rake, i.e., trap wire about 3-4" behind the rear crossbeam. I discussed uni mast rake extensively with Greg Goodall when he stayed with me two years ago and I had him make me a main cut for more mast rake. I gave up a bit of sail area in exchange for a higher foot so I didn't kill myself with the boom. (I'm 6-4"). I raked the mast from upright to the trap wire being about 6" past the rear of the hull. I settled with the rake about 3" in from the rear of the hull which kept the helm fairly balanced. Let me preface this observation with the fact that I sail directly off the beach here on Casey Key Island in seas that normally run 2-3 feet and steady winds of 15-20 (at least when I sail)! In these conditions, I pretty much stay in the trap all the time.
I'm attaching a picture of the mast rake I liked together with a Pix of my custom sail Greg made for me.
I also found that the Taipan Uni sails very much like the Hobie 14 in that it likes about 3-5" of traveller. I also think it goes better with a lot of main sheet tension as others have remarked. Finding the right height for the spinnaker pole has been a challenge. The biggest problem I've found flying the spinnaker in heavy seas (3' and up) is that the spinnaker foot will sometimes catch a bit into the back of the next wave, spin the cat and over you go!
In order to cure the righting problem in seas like this, I installed Rick White's "righting pole" which works great. Getting a wet spinnaker back in the chute, and dealing with all the lines while the seas are running large and the wind blowing can be quickly tiring. I haven't sailed much this past year because of travel and a multitude of projects. I've lost the mast in high winds twice now because I used too lightweight of bridle and forestay wire (Hobie 14T). Jim Boyer warned me about that when he was here. I'm now using recut Hobie 18 bridles and forestay with a standard Hobie 18 furler.
As for the Sarasota race, Jennifer, I will more than likely be sailing Uni with the spinnaker since my son has basketball games both days, my daughter has a volley ball game that Saturday, and it's my wife's birthday weekend. I'm playing hooky from my coaching duties just to get to sail, and may not be able to get in all the races. Both of my kids are so into their sports that I can't count on them for crew any more. My wife gave up crewing after kids.
I always liked racing the Nacra's, but I prefer playing with the spinnaker. We can always see what the WX is going to be like. We've had T-storms rolling through pretty regularly in the afternoon here.
What happened to the other Taipan that was up there in the Tampa Bay area?
