Colorado Day Sailers Links

Day Sailer Tuning

(This is a copy of Day Sailer tuning instructions put together by Al Larson, Rollie Reinhardt and others to share with new and old Day Sailer sailors. This guide is from a mid-seventies issue of the Day Sailer Quarterly)

MAST RAKE AND SHROUD TENSION

To measure the aft rake of your mast, hoist a tape measure on your main halyard and hold it tight at the intersection Of the transom and rear deck. This measurement, without your jib up and your rig set "snug" (that is, with no play in any shroud or forestay), should be 25' 1" to 25' 2". Then hoist your jib through either a magic box, a block and tackle, or using the forestay (as a bow and arrow effect) pull the rig forward to a 25' 4" to 25' 5" measurement at the transom. Basically, with this rig tension the leeward shroud should not go slack when sailing upwind until the wind velocity is at approximately 10 mph. This may require more rig tension than you are used to carrying, but this tension is important in keeping the. jib luff sag down to a minimum for a maximum speed and pointing capability.

TRAVELER

With a mid-boom traveler, carry it several inches to weather in 0 to 10 mph wind, Center it in 10 to 15 mph, and carry it 4" to leeward in heavier air. If you have a stern traveler, center it in light air, move it 4 to 6 inches to leeward in 10 to 15 mph winds, and carry it 8 to 12 inches to leeward in heavy air further if you are overpowered.

MAIN SHEET TENSION

In all but heavy air, adjust the sheet tension so that the aft end of the boom is about 1 foot to leeward of centerline. A bendy Proctor mast will tend to be self-adjusting in the puffs; in heavy puffs ease the sheet to keep the boat moving In survival conditions, luff hell out of the main, sail on the jib, and keep the boat flat.

OUTHAUL

In light air leave the clew 1 to 2 inches short of the band; in medium and heavy air pull it to the band, The foot of the sail should be smooth in medium air, have slight vertical wrinkles in light air, and have a horizontal tension line in heavy air before leaving the dock.

CUNNINGHAM

Adjust the Cunningham just enough to eliminate wrinkles; the max draft point will be about 45 per cent aft. The Cunningham should be adjusted every time the wind strength changes and/or the main sheet tension is adjusted; position it so it can be reached from each side, even when hiked out.

JIB TRIM

The jib luff wire is set up tight, and even tighter in heavy air. The jib cloth downhaul (adjustable tack), which you should have, is continually adjusted to eliminate wrinkles and locate the jib draft 35 to 40 per cent aft with no hook to the leach. On a downwind run, douse the jib to avoid interference with the spinnaker. The lead position should be adjusted to maintain a uniform slot between the jib leach and mainsail; moved about 2 to 4 inches aft in heavy air to open the slot.

BARBER HAULERS

Use inboard barber haulers to move the jib sheet in until the main is on the verge of back winding, From 10 to 12 mph up, you should sail with the main back winding to point high and stay flat,

SPINNAKER

We have an on-deck spinnaker launcher, and use only 3/16 inch line (Rollie has real tough hands, and even in 25 to 30 knot winds doesn't seem to mind'), Tieing the lines to the chute saves weight, The pole eye on the mast should be as high as a 5' 10" man can reach flat-footed, and the pole should be carried horizontal in medium winds. In light air it will tilt down; in heavier air the outboard end will be 6 inches to 1 foot above level (also reaching, to ease the leach).

CENTERBOARD

Going to windward in all winds we leave the board straight down. (I would think in heavy air, when a lighter crew might be overpowered, that the board should be raised to reduce helm and heeling... maybe even 30° in extremes. PJB) On close reaches with a spinnaker, leave it straight down... on broad reaches and runs, it is between 3/4 up and all the way up,

RUDDER

Should be left straight down all the time

SUMMARY

Generally, you will find that if sheet, cunningham, halyard, vang, barber hauler and traveler adjustments are used so that your sails look smooth and pretty, they will probably be set correctly and will go very fast. Don't forget the hull has be be smooth and clean!

Crew placement for different conditions, proper attitude toward winning and losing, right living, clean thinking and cheap whiskey will be of immeasurable help!

This Colorado Day Sailers page has been visited times since January 24, 1998.