with just 3 weeks to go to the round texel race, we've received an infusion main which we plan to use on our old type n F18. who knows which settings to change? we tried it today with unchanged settings in force 4 wind, and couldn't really get upwind too well, seemed to lack some power (compared to the old main). so again, who knows the differences?
thanks,
Sander

What type of F18? Nacra F18? Tiger? ect...

I am going to assume a nacra f18. I would imagine the old mast is too soft for the new sail. your options are to acquire an infusion mast, have the lu8ff re-cut to add some round to it, or you could try to stiffen the mast with the spreaders, rake them forward and increase the tension.

2002 nacra f18 with 2005 mast

If the mast is 2005 then the sail is not matching the Infusion sail. The infusion has a different mast (wing mast). The total sail surface in F18 is determined by sail+mast so this will let you end up with a smaller sail surface.

Setting up
- mast rake to upper connection point rudder.
- spreaders depending on crew weight.

See you at Texel.
Enjoy.
Jeroen

Talk to your sail maker!

Vink is the man that will know

Peter Vink will also be at Texel so that's easy

I had the same mast and sail two years ago, and I had the same problem. See: Looking for power upwind

I think that mast is too soft to use with the inf sail. If you sheet the main with the necessary tension, you bend the top of the mast extremely (even there is no cunnigham tension), and the sail will really flat at the top 1/3. No power on the main, poor speed and height. A bit less mast rotation is help, but that is not a perfect solution, as it is also depower the rig.

I have tried to setup my mast, tried more diamond tension, but independently to that the top part of the mast remain soft! I'm not an expert, maybe a professional guy can help you to find proper setup.

Now I sail an infusion, and the difference was clear at the first time I sailed the inf.

In your case I would think about to upgrade to wing mast.

why did you buy an infusion sail for your boat?....Sails are designed around the mast and a sail built for your older style mast would be much faster.

Based on the replies you've had you could try moving the top attachment point for your diamonds and the spreaders up a little (will stiffen the top section). Don't get get carried away however or everytime your mast bends it will thrust the tip to windward.

it's easier to find and it was a good deal. so I guess it's gonna be difficult... i'll talk to the guy who sold us the sail - he did the same and is telling is he's going like the wind...

So, we've tried it a few times and you were all right, it's not gonna work. as a good used old nacra f18 sail is hard to get, a new one a bit too expensive, we're looking for an alternative: who knows if this mast has been used on any other boat , and if interchangable sails exist? (like the cirrus?)

Can you stretch to an infusion mast? That would be really fast then.

You might find Tiger sails are a little closer to what you need. You'll probably still be lacking stiffness though. Borrow some and try it before you commit. Many people believe the mast was then main reason the Nacra F18 wasn't successful.