Sail trim / Worlds Regatta

cmnative

New Member
Living only 50 miles +/- from the Sunfish Worlds Regatta,my regional newspaper has had some nice coverage of the event. I noticed that in one picture, the gaff of the sail was not raised to the top of the mast. I looked through other pictures (from different angles)and noticed the same things on other boats. Does anyone have an explaination of this trim?? I have always been led to believe that the gaff was to be raised and secured to the top of the mast.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_story/story/7497710p-7394182c.html
 
I understand what a Jens Rig is. If you have read any of my previous posts, you will know that I need to know how things work. Just dropping th esail lower decreases the sail power?? If so, why whould we not raise it drastically in light conditions?? Just thoughts I have. There is a lot to read, but no explanations of the mechanics applied.
 
I "think" by lowering the sail on the mast it will have less leverage to try and tip the boat. Kind of like a wrench with a longer handle lets you torque things more. I could be wrong on this it's just my first though on it.
 
Thats the type of info that Im looking for.... It doesn't decrease the power of the sail, ut just the leverage of being higher up. Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep the info coming.
 
Good god almighty. There are people writing answers to questions on this forum who know even less about Sunfish sailing than I do. So I'll jump in two feel first into the discussion about why does a Jens rig work.

How would I know? I've never used one. I'm a big guy and have never felt the need to depower the puny Sunfish rig. Just hike harder and all will be well.

Yes, the Jens rig is for what Leona Helmsley used to call the "little people". She meant the people who pay taxes. I mean the folk under 200 lbs.

I don't think the Jens rig works because you are lowering the rig. Because you are not. You tie the halyard lower on the upper spar so the sail ends up roughly the same height off the deck.

I have two theories why it works...

1. There is more of the upper spar above the point where the halyard is tied so it can flex more and depower more in the gusts.

2. The rig is rotated so that the center of effort moves forward thereby reducing weather helm.

Hey, but what do I know? The Official Administrator at the Laser Forum is so pissed off with me that she tells me that my opinion has no weight. I am knot a aerodynamicist. I am knot a yacht designer. I am knot at the Sunfish Worlds. My opinion has no weight.
 
old geezer........
Nice reply and thank you for not being stuffy and telling it like it is. Anymore info is always welcome!!!!!!
 

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