SailNet Community - View Single Post - C&C 34 mainsail shape problem
View Single Post
post #6 of Old 02-20-2011 Thread Starter
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Rep Power: 0
Follow-up on the trim problem

Ok. A lot of questions. We have tried moving the genoa carts. Naturally, it gets worse if we move the cart forward, though we tried this too. When it is properly positioned on the break of the genoa (on line from clew to centerline of luff) we still see about 30% of the main backwinded. Cart tracks are in what appears to be the original location for this boat - pretty well inboard near the cabin top. So I'm guessing location of the track is not the issue.

Do the tell tales break evenly. On the genoa, I believe so, but I will get back to you after next weekends race. I hadn't thought to look. What would that indicate re: backwinded main? The mainsail leech telltales all flow evenly.

This week we agreed to prebend with the baby stay and then backstay tension - again no wind to try this idea.

Last week we released tension in the genoa leach to add curvature. Had no noticeable impact on main shape.

We are probably trimming the genoa to about 3-4" off the spreader. I haven't noted where the foot falls relative to the chainplate - likely pretty tight when we are trying to point. I am not certain where max draft on the genoa is falling. Assuming we are not over trimming (and I think we are some but lets assume) what are the impacts of these items on the mainsail luffing?

Outhaul has been futzed with - full flat in anything over about 10kn. I would prefer the main be trimmed midships, but to fill luffing, my friend asks me to trim main to windward. I feel this creates more heel than drive but I am the trimmer - right.

I just noticed that the aft end of the boom droops below parallel. I was told this is normal for the boat as it adds sail area that isn't counted in the PHRF rating. Can this be? I'm thinking the boom weight may be distorting the sail shape some. Was the boat designed to have the mast canted forward then backstay tensioned to level boom?

Pictures - its not my boat and I really like sailing with these guys. I don't want to make myself unwelcome. But if I am gonna be on the main, I'd like to quietly solve this problem. So don't get frustrated if there are no pictures.

Boat speed is competitive. We are coming in second consistently. But to get a first we need to shave 2.5 minutes a mile on the number 1 boat.

No one has addressed the crux of this question though. Did the 1978 C&C 34 sail with a big back wind in its mainsail luff in most conditions? Is there something about this boat's intended set up that we don't know.
ondinesail is offline  
Quote Share with Facebook
For the best viewing experience please update your browser to Google Chrome