The short version is they go faster that way. Many also make the rig adjustments you mentioned.I was wondering why racers have their sails almost to the deck level?
Is it just to reduce the heeling force, or is there something else going on? And if it is just to reduce heeling, then in light wind it would seem you could attach the halyard lower on the spar (thus raising the sail higher for visibility).
I would also think that you can change the center of effort of the sail by both moving the halyard location and the gooseneck. (together). If you only move one or the other, then the lower spar will now be at an angle (don't know if it matters). True?
Finally, is reducing/eliminating weather helm the goal for gooseneck adjustments? Or is there another goal in mind?rig adjustment
ents
thanks!
I'm actually going to try different settings and see how it works out. I might have to get someone else to do a casual race with though. I'm not so good at telling how fast I'm going, but i can tell if someone is passing meTry raising it 1- 1 1/2 ft from the recommended set up setting that came with the boat and see the difference in speed. I'm a taller gal, 5'8 and got tired of peeking under all the time (no window) so I raised the rig, twice; big decrease in speed. The upshot of that is I can now handle bigger wind
As soon as you mentioned flattop sails, I thought,Raising the boom keeps it out of the water in rollers.
For me, raising the rig (no window) made my Sunfish more "tender", but my perception gave no loss of speed.
Wind close to the water/waves tends to be less strong, and increases with height. Sail design took a leap forward when squaring off the head.
I've started reading the bible (The Sunfish Bible), and found that what I was sensing, was correct. On page 25, "Jack evans proved that carrying the sail low was fast". So conversely, carrying it high would slow it down...a good thing in big wind.
I'm loving this book. Very interesting learning the history of this little boat.
I've started reading the bible (The Sunfish Bible), and found that what I was sensing, was correct. On page 25, "Jack evans proved that carrying the sail low was fast". So conversely, carrying it high would slow it down...a good thing in big wind.
I'm loving this book. Very interesting learning the history of this little boat.
he he..Racers keep their sails close to deck level in order to look cool. Having your sail high up is more comfortable but doesn't cut it in the cool department.