Hm, I tought it is the job of the crew (and eventually the helmsman) to get the hull flying, and not the job of the boards? As an aerdynamics guy I would recommend to pull the windward board full up and leave the leeward completely down, if you need a board, and boath boards full up, if you don't need boards at all sailing downwind. Any thoughts?
Pulling boards up and pushing down on each jibe takes time and impedes VMG. Lots of testing on this was done on the Tornado, and the conclusion was to leave both boards down (and the T have real boards, swinging centerboards). It might be different on a F16.
Light wind (and I mean LIGHT so 0-2 kts, when the spi is almost not working).
Plates up about 50%, sail deep, around 90 to apparent wind.
As soon as the boat starts to move "properly", so maybe 3+ start to drive for speed as the F16 is light and has large sails you can build apparent wind as soon as the sails are working properly. Plates stay up around 25%
As soon as the hull starts to lift a little, plates down.
Moving around while not at speed is killing for boatspeed. With light wind it is important to always move around very carefully (like walking on eggs!), probably even more so on the F16 than F18. Although that counts mainly for going upwind it is something to keep in mind in general.
Try to get as much weight forward, when crewing I usually sit on the frontbeam (same goes for the helm).
On the Tiger the spin blocks are on the tramp between the shroud and the frontbeam. Generally that position is fine for most conditions but in light winds I keep the sheet in hand and push it down on the front beam, that way there is less twist but quite a bit more pressure. You could also try experimenting with an adjustable barberhauler like some F18s have.
Re: Downwind in light air
[Re: pgp]
#191968 09/25/0908:06 AM09/25/0908:06 AM
Those of you with good memories will remember these photo's taken last year when I experimented with an AFC Blade mainsail. The foot must have been a foot shorter than my Landy's mainsail so the more pressure I put on the mainsheet the more the mast rotation decreased (due to the angle of the mainsheet blocks pulling the boom towards the rear beam). This wasn't the biggest problem though, due to this differing angle the mainsheet cleated automatically and I couldn't uncleat until I was back on the tramp. Hence in the second photo I'm desperately trying to uncleat the traveller which I didn't do quick enough and the PRO had to fend me off the Committee boat. I know this story doesn't have anything to do with light wind sailing but the angle of the mainsheet from beam to boom does have an affect on mast rotation. They are also nice photo's of sunshine and sailing which is fairly rare in these parts.
MP*MULTIHULLS
Re: Downwind in light air
[Re: Mark P]
#191987 09/25/0910:29 AM09/25/0910:29 AM
The sky looks blue but you still have on the survival kit???? Where's the shorts and T
Matt, you ever stick your...hand...in the water over there? It is frick'n COLD! Even in July.
Hey Mark, I was laying over in Brighton once and it was 82F (28C)!! You should have seen all the topless white (soon to be pink) flesh on the beach! I was all about helping rub some sunscreen on them but no takers! "Save the Tatas" I always say. Nothing worse (except maybe a burned Johnson) than a pair of scorched Tatas. My new sponsors website: http://www.savethetatas.com/
Hey Dermot, I heard there was a big anniversary yesterday, 250 years of Guiness? How did I miss that?! I'll have to have two tonight just to catch up!
Blade F16 #777
Re: Downwind in light air
[Re: Matt M]
#192036 09/25/0907:31 PM09/25/0907:31 PM