Tom,

I'll agree the 17 is very hard work to get the best out of it. But lots of twist down wind ? How much mainsheet do you actually let out ? I'd guess I let out about 18 to 24 inches max (allow the boom to lift maybe 4 inches) - But I am using the Alu mast and do worry it would snap in a big wipeout.

The amount of twist and how much sheet to let out is definitely a judgement call. It depends on wind speed, etc.

I was reading something about twist last winter in Bethwaite's book " High Performance Sailing." Then I checked some pictures of the guys that were pulling away from me downwind. They had twist whereas I was sheeted tight. Tested it last summer and the twist allowed me to stay with them or maintain a lead.


Tom

I have a 5.5 with an older full spinnaker also. At first I had problems in higher wind of having too much sail forward, which wants to push the boat to far down wind, causing me to have to *push* on the tiller to keep it on course. But I found that if remember to pull the boards up (which is optimal for down wind anyway) that the tiller steering is fine. If you have tiller push, other options are to adjust the rudder rake forward (using adjustment screws in rudder casings) and/or the mast rake back to adjust for this.

IIRC Bethwaite (I have the book too) talks about matching leach curves/exhausts between Spi (least control) and jib (more control) and mainsail (most control), which I agree with, but I feel we have to balance this against the need to support the mast too. This is why I advocate some downhaul when sailing down wind when it is windy, it opens the leach of the main, but still supports the kite as the bend in the mast is aft - this does then load the mast more in compression (but I've never been worried about this with the 17 mast as it is large in section / mass) - I am muchmore worried about the kite pulling the top forward and breaking in this direction.

Post deleted by Thomm225

Tom,

I don't usually play safe, and I usually win.

I'd be the the last one to ease off, I've had my kite up in about 30 kts, but on a lake where if it does go TU the (very good) rescue guys will come and fish me out (and they have done )

I've also just remembered that the I17R, the kite actually goes to the same place (above the deck) on your mast as it does mine, so I think for any given sheet position/load, you would have less twist induced than on the shorter Alu mast that I have.

Which kite box or Texaco? And how long was your string?

Tom

Don't understand (and why do you always missof the last "end quote" UBB code ?

I have been getting feedback from the Uni guys and I am favoring a Uni specific chute. If we are going to do this thing might as well do it right. Why use a F 17 shute at all. We will meet and discuss this Saturday and fuss about the details. Or....we may decide to do nothing at all...film at 11.