Would like to know a bit more about the Mosquito class and hope I may be able to find some answers to some questions here.

Is there a minimum crew weight and if not, what would be the ideal competitive crew weight for a cat rigged boat.

Are there any on line tuning guides for cat rigged boats, particularly concerning the following.

Mast rake
Diamond rake
Diamond tension
Prebend
Rig Tension
Rudder rake

Thanks in advance.

0kg would be good for crew weight on a cat rigged Mossie... Skipper probably 75-90kg would be fine.

Have you got a Mossie? if so, provide some info on it and this will give people something to work with re your questions.

G'day Aussiecat,

I've seen people sailing mozzies cat rigged from about 55 kg to 120+ kg. There is no offical minimum crew weight that I'm aware of. However at 55 kg, you might struggle in winds over about 15 knots. At 120 kg you might struggle in winds under 10 knots. Then again skill will overcome weight. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think the tuning guide is currently being reviewed.

The Vic Mozzie Website has some info on rigging.

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mosquito

This forum has addressed many of the issues you have raised, so when you get time have a read through. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Hi Aussiecat and welcome to the Mozzie forum. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

There is no minimum crew weight so you can go as light as you want. A lightweight skipper/crew combination is great for light winds but not so good when it starts to blow heaps.

The lightweight crew combination needs to set sail as flat as possible in heavy conditions and as you indicate this depends on diamond rake (more rake allows the sail to be set flatter) , diamond tension (looser diamonds allows the rig to bend/give more), pre-bend (controlled by downhaul set-up 6:1/8:1) and to a lesser degree rig tension. Some of your questions can also be answered by reviewing some of the threads on this forum.

Ideal crew weight for a cat rigged boat ranges from approx 65 kg through to 90 kg although I expect there are some skippers outside this range that are still highly competitive. It also depends on level of expertise and what wind conditions you feel most comfortable in.

The tuning manual can be purchased from the VMCA and details can be found here: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mosquito/shop.htm

It is currently under revision/update but all the information in the current version is relevant.

Regards,


Peter Foulsum

I have had a good look through the forum. There is a lot of talk and questions, but no figures. I am setting up and old Mozzie (about mid 90s) and any help would be greatly appreciated and may speed up the learning curve.

As for min crew weight, most classes have a very distinct competitive weight range where you will be competitive in both light and heavy, whilst not get smashed on the downwind. I would imagine under 70 kg you may find it a little handful upwind. Over 80 kg I would imagine you will not loose that much upwind in the fresh breeze and may have a slight edge, however will suffer a lot off the breeze. I am currently between 72 and 74 so should be OK.

What area state will you be sailing in.
The NSW States are comming up with a few wooden mossies attending.

G'day Aussiecat,

At 73 Kg you are definately in the competitive weight range. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

What area do you live in? There may be Mozzie sailors in your area who could help. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

There are probably no figures because each set up is slightly different and what is right for my boat, weight, sailing style, sails and foils is not necessarily right for your boat, weight, sailing style, sails and foils. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> eg. Do you have a wooden boat(home or professional built) or glass boat (Fay, Boyer or Trewin)? Does it have 10", 11" or 12" centreboards? Are your centreboard cases at maximum position aft or not? Sails - Cross Cut, Radial or Tap Drive? Mast - Old heavy section, New light section? Rudders - Size Type. etc, etc, etc. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Sorry but the best way to speed up the learning curve is get the boat on the water as soon as you can and come out and play with the other Mozzies. If you beat us we'll try some of your settings.<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I've found the Mozzie sailors very aproachable and helpful.

Glad to have you on board and look forward to meeting you on the water. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Aussiecat,

From Col's reply you can see that there are allot of variants which relate back to the general build tolerance bands.

It would probably be a good idea to start with the Mosquito rules located here: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nmcca/doc/Mosquito_BRR.pdf
and measure your Mozzie against these documents.

Just keep in mind that there will be some things you can't change on your Mozzie such as beam locations but there will be things that you can change such as centreboard width that will adjust the centre of effort. If you are making a new mast then you can also make it work better for your weight range.

Regards,


Peter