Just goes to show how much bigger the Stealth tramp is compared to the Blade. At least it means that the Stealth can carry more mainsail area low down, I suppose, and that's good in a blow.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
John Alani ___________ Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538
Re: F16 sailor on an F18
[Re: TonyJ]
#155647 10/01/0802:35 AM10/01/0802:35 AM
The Aus Blade sail has been in my Garage since August and I just thought it was time to see what the differences were. As John pointed out the foot is approx 275mm shorter and the luff is again 150mm shorter than my usual Landenberger mainsail. There is considerably more draft in the sail shape and the battens were a lot tighter, this obviously suited Marcus during the Zandvoort G.C as there are a couple of Kg's difference between us (Marcus needing more power <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) so it would definitely suit a two up crew. If I could keep the Landy shape for going uphill and this sail shape for downhill you'd have what I would consider to be the near perfect F16 main. What I have failed to mention is that due to the mainsails short foot the mainsheet cleat was pointing down towards the tramp!! once pulled in it couldn't be released from the wire and thus whilst most of the time I could just about manage with some erratic steering I did find myself playing the traveller which isn't fast. Another downside was the angle of the mainsheet was pulling the the mast rotation back, depowering the rig. I did two races like this against 3 F18's, 1 A Class, 1 Dart 18 and 1 Dart 16 and came second in both to a F18 which had better speed upwind although, downwind I would be back on their transom by the leeward mark. In the second race I retired after the race due to touching the committee boat TWICE, once on lap 2 where I was knocked off the back and climbed over the rear beam to get back on and the second on the finish line where my bow was caught by the Race Officer over their pullpit. Needless to say I wont be experimenting with this sail again on a Stealth. This is the last photo (I promise)
Last edited by MarkP; 10/01/0809:03 AM.
Re: And the answer is ...
[Re: Mark P]
#155653 10/01/0809:10 AM10/01/0809:10 AM