Kirt,

The answer is yes, the Spitfire is supplied with a bag on the tramp, and on short courses this has to be a disadvantage compared to a snuffer system. Although with the cleaner deck layout and the smaller sail area of the Spitfire (compared to the Hawk) it would have been OK if we had not had such a small course.

I believe that the Spitfire may soon be supplied with a chute of some kind, into or under the tramp.

I do feel that a large snuffer hanging out of the pole causes windage and blows the bows off when going upwind. But I do not have any proof. The new Hawk seen at Carnac had a glassfibre "bag" of some kind, positioned at the bridle. I think that I have seen a photo of a Tornado with something like that.



I believe that I was one of the Spitfires mentioned recently being walked on by Hurricanes. I would point out that the squalls that day were something else. In the dark lake water, it was difficult to see them coming and they seemed about twice the speed of the existing wind, which was force 5. They arrived with such force that you had to completely spill the wind or you were over, and they were gone almost immediately and you had to try and start driving again. The heavier Hurricanes did not seem to be affected as much. Although, a Hawk on a close reach was hit so hard that it went over and turtled all in one movement. The crew was pulled underneath and trapped for a short while. We were quite worried after "Palma".

Dermot.