Re: 3 sheets to the wind.

Steve and Linda Eustace (seustace@flash.net)
Sat, 13 Mar 1999 11:42:11 -0600


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Dave,

I'd like to take a look at the book you referenced, "Looking at Sails". Do you
happen to remember the name of the author?

Thanks,

Steve Eustace
P-15 #1157, Kokopelli 2
Euless, TX

SR500F@aol.com wrote:

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> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Here's an additional two cents worth, keeping in mind that free advice is
> worth exactly what you pay for it.
>
> A book I checked out from the library recently called _Looking at Sails_
> claims that on the fractional rig, like the Potter, the mainsail is the
> primary driver and best performance will be achieved is the jib is trimmed to
> enhance the drive from the main, rather than provide max. drive from itself. I
> interpret this to mean that you shape your jib to optimize the slot. On my
> Mk.II this has also meant experimenting with different length tack pendants
> (the little piece of cable between the tack of the jib and the fitting on the
> bow) so that the leech twist of the jib matches the "belly" of the main.
>
> Another thing that can influence windward performance is the angle of attack
> of the underwater surfaces. When going to windward you want to feel just a bit
> of "weather helm". This indicates that the attitude of the boat is such that
> the underwater surfaces are generating lift to windward as they move through
> the water. If the genoa keeps pulling the bow off the wind and you have to
> keep steering it back up then hydrodynamic forces of your centerboard and
> rudder are likely working against you.
>
> _Looking at Sails_ also points out that on the rigid, masthead rigs (like you
> might find on the Catalinas and Coronados that you mentioned) the jib is the
> primary driver of the boat and the main is trimmed to balance the boat - so
> what works best when you sail on your friend's boats may not translate
> directly into good performance on your Potter.
>
> Hope this helps!
>
> Dave Kautz
> P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
> Palo Alto, CA