Thanks alot Tornado_alive,

You experiences will be noted, it may well find its way into an adjustment of spi penalty to a certain handicap rule hence my interest in these reference tests.


>>>Unfortunatly the top mark was close to the southern shore with a southerly breeze blowing. When we got close to it we were underpowered and only single traping. The finish line was closer to shore and the wind difference would have been about 10 knots. Neither of us could trap in this and the other T was powered up twin trap most of the time.

Sound about right with the ratios for jib power we use right now. Or I should say it doesn't contradict it.


>>By powered up I mean two on trapeze hull flying and full downhaul.

Maximum rig power I understand Thanks. Were the guys with jib letting the main out or were they at the end of their downwind with the main centred. I want to know wether the main and jib can be expected to both produce maximum power or wether the jib was adding disproportionally to the overall sailpower.


>>>We had only a few boat lenghts advantage over the upwind but when the breeze died we kept a cover on them and in our wind shadow. On the last upwind they were able to power under us in a lull and we could not catch as we headed for the finish.
>>>Ok we are normaly quicker...however over the season (since September) they have improved remarkably. At a regatta last fortnight they beat us in 1 off 5 races and were hot on our heels in 2 others.


So you would you consider the following a fair statement :

The fact that you were sailing without the jib was sufficient to correct for the difference in skill that can be expected between you and the other crew on the upwind legs ?

What would the outcome be if you switched setups in your estimation ? (To bad we don't have this as data that would have been really interesting)

Thanks alot for your replies,

Wouter