Weston
Well-Known Member
Something has been puzzling me as I read about recommendation fired rigging a Sunfish for racing vs. recreational sailing.
If a higher sail generates more power, then why do I see the halyard attached so high (thus the sail is low) for nearly all racing sunfish? I understand that in High winds, keeping the sail closer to the deck reduces the likelihood of bending a mast. However, in light winds why wouldn’t sunfish racers mount the sail as high as possible to maximize the power when there is no risk of bending a mast? Or is this what sunfish racers are actually doing and I just have not observed it?
If a higher sail generates more power, then why do I see the halyard attached so high (thus the sail is low) for nearly all racing sunfish? I understand that in High winds, keeping the sail closer to the deck reduces the likelihood of bending a mast. However, in light winds why wouldn’t sunfish racers mount the sail as high as possible to maximize the power when there is no risk of bending a mast? Or is this what sunfish racers are actually doing and I just have not observed it?