Re: Crack down the middleps
What about filling the void between the cockpit floor and the base of the keel solid with either resin, resin with microspheres, or resin with chopped glass?
The first would be easiest but perhaps weak, although your talking about compressive loading, so you...
There is one more advantage to add to your diagram for the latter three images. Using the block/hook on the deck allows the sail to be oversheeted, putting a bend in the boom. This bend will take the draft out of the sail, reducing power and drag in heavy air.
This is more or less the same...
+1 on the rope bridle.
I replaced my wire bridle with rope several years ago. I'm presently using 5mm Marlow Excel Racing line for my bridle, halyard, and jens line on my '69 Sunfish. I use a small block to attach the mainsheet to the bridle.
Keep in mind that while woods other than mahogany might be less than ideal, you can always coat your board with fiberglass and epoxy. It will be much more durable and water resistant than varnish.
Even better than silicone is polysulfide caulks. Definitely do not use 5200. The bond is stronger than fiberglass.
Here's an article that might help:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance-articles/19922-mounting-deck-hardware.html
I watched nearly all of race 2, and she hit 33kts in 10kts of air. (Keep in mind that this was the wind speed at the surface; BMWO's rig is as tall as a 20-story building.
I found myself in similar winds this summer (18kts gusting to 25) out on Lake Michigan.
First, be sure the halyard and gooseneck are set such that the boom is relatively low to the deck. The lower the center of effort on the sail, the easier it is to handle.
Second, buy some extra line and...
I would think that it would help. It definitely seems that you can dial in some curve to the boom with the vang. I won't profess to be an expert on Sunfish trim, but I've spent plenty of time racing keelboats.
What made me think to mention the draft issue was from an observation on the Lake...
I think the hard part of sheeting from the back is that you won't be able to sheet in tight in heavy wind. When your sheet in tight, the boom will bend, flattening and depowering the sail.
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