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Ben,

I really like the appearance of your F16 mainsail. I was hoping to get something like that when I ordered a modified F16 main back in 2003. But I got one with the characteristic Taipan leech round despite the fact that my square-top is 580 mm.

Anyways, I think it is very good that you still got the same foot length as well. With this sail the Taipan looks alot more modern again. I really like it; looks sharp indeed.

Also a twichy sail is no good, best is a compromise between speed and ease of trim (forgiveness). I hear AHPC went for 840 mm head and that seems like a lot !



What is your combined crewweight ? Our fears are that the rig will depower to soon with a head that is too large. This can be corrected by moving the hounds up a little but we need to know how much this is needed. If it is alright as it is than that would be be especially great. I'm hoping that increasing the mast rotation just a little will be enough to bring the top back in again; resulting in only increased performance and no need to modify the mast design.

And , what about that top on downwinders ehhh ! We got a scare as well but the mast just took the beating as if it was fully designed to do. When I ran to little leech tension on spi I was told by other sailors that the mast flexed forward by 20 to 30 degrees. But it survived just fine and it is still straight ! But I run a little more mainsheet tension now, when fully powered up under spi.



Yes and no ;

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Yes, Here in Netherlands two crews have done that. I'm one of these. My jib, made by AHPC, was (from memory) 3.40 sq. mtr. big. F16 rules would have allowed 3.65 sq. mtr. in my case by I think 0.25 sq.mtr. different is not worth fuzzing over. The increased luff lengths and such will correct for that. I do thing than a little more area could have been put in. In short a standard Taipan 4.9 can be fitted with a selftacking jib that comes very close to the max allowed in the F16 class. You'll only have the fit the rail and car AND a bridle strut. The last will allow the luff of the jib to come down to the spi pole. You must do that to get the area in. I must say that AHPC supplies a good selftacking kit for the Taipan 4.9 at a reasonable price.

Net result. The boat and trampoline feels alot more roomy and starts to feel like a proper big boat. Also tacks and gibes are WAAAAY easier on the crew as those jib sheets aren't in the way as with the old setup. That really makes a difference. Under spinnaker I wouldn't want to go back to the old setup. Gibes are just way quicker and easier. The crew can totally focus on bringing the spi over without flapping and putting the power on quickly. You'll keep more speed up during gibes and you can enter a gibing duel again.

I really like the selftacker. When I get home I will post a few pics I have of it.

Regards,

Wouter
Proprietor Horizon Sailmakers Queensland.

Hi Ben,

welcome, love the look of that main. Must have been fun putting all that carbon tape on it.

Would love to check it out in the flesh. Why don't you head South and I will head north we could meet somewhere south of Sydney? maybe Port Kembla S.C. for the Drag race 2/3rd. April.

Regards Gary.

I AM A WIFE OF A KEEN SAILOR WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SERIOUS FUNDS TO HAVE HIS OWN BOAT.I AM TRYING TO PLAN A HUGE 40TH SUPRISE CLOSE TO HOME WITH REGARDS TO THE SAILING COMMUNITY WITH BOATS.MY HUSBAND HAS SOME GOOD CERTIFICATES FOR SAILING BUT UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT USE THEM AS THERE IS NO BOAT.MY HUSBAND SAYS THE FEELING IS LIKE NO OTHER WHEN ON THE WATER AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND HIM OF THIS EXPERIENCE FOR HIS BIRTHDAY.I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PLEASE RESCUE ME BY HOPEFULLY COMING TO THE RESCUE OF MAYBE HELPING OUT.I STAY IN FIFE NEAR KIRKCALDY AND I AM LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO MIGHT NEED COMPANY ON THEIR BOAT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS I THINK ITS MORE OF A MAN THING THAN WOMEN MIXING.NOT THAT I FRET.I AM MORE THAN PREPARED TO PUT MONEY TOWARDS COSTS FOR TO SEE A MASSVE SMILE ON HIS FACE.I WAS TOLD MAYBE SOMEONE FROM PORT EDGAR COULD POSSIBLY HELP OUT.I HOPE.MY HUSBANDS BIRTHDAY IS CREEPING UP FASTLY AND WITH VERY LITTLE TIME TO ORGANISE THIS I AM STRUGGLING.HE ENJOYS,SPEEDBOATS,STEALTHS,POWERBOATS AND THAT IS ALL I KNOW AS A BOAT IS A BOAT AND IT FLOATS.MOST SAILORS WOULD SAY I WAS ARROGANT BUT BELIEVE ME IT IS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON MY BEHALF.CAN ANYONE HELP.PLEASE READ THIS AND TAKE THIS AS A SERIOUS GESTURE AND NOT VIEW ME AS A TIME WASTER.THANKS