G'day Steve and the rest of the forum,

You've said above that you were sailing some tight reaches with your spi in 12-20 knots. I've just swapped my Taipan 4.9 Cat for a 4.9 with spi. The spi is unfortunately not F16 compliant as it's 21m2.

We sailed it for the first time yesterday and there seemed to be no way that we could sail much above a broad reach without the luff of the spi curling around and collapsing the Spi. We were sailing in about 5 knots only.

When you say "tight reaches" are you referring to a point of sail that is somewhere between a beam reach and close hauled? If so do you or anyone else have any suggestions as to why our spi is collapsing when I go higher than a broad reach.

Even if I did manage to sail higher without the spi collapsing I feel the chances of actually holding the boat down in anything over 5 knots are slim!!!

By the way, we got the boat moving beautifully on a broad reach - what a hoot!!! We are launching the spi out of a bag on the tramp and seem to be able to do this quite successfully and quickly. Perhaps 30 secs for drops and 20 for launches. I don't think I would bother with a snuffer as I'm sure we could improve on these times with practice.

David was having some trouble holding the spi sheet which is why I re-read this thread. I think 2:1 for our boat may be on the cards.

Rob.
Taipan 4.9 with spi "Blackadder" AUS135