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Topper Speed
*TOPPER SPEED FOR THE LARGER (5.3) SAIL* SO YOUR BOAT IS FULLY PREPARED AND YOU ARE READY TO USE YOUR NEW CONTROLS. NEW CONTROLS? – WHAT CONTROLS HAVE YOU GOT TO MAKE YOUR TOPPER GO FASTER AND PERHAPS MORE TO THE POINT WHAT DO THEY CONTROL?
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Controls: |
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Mainsheet |
the angle of the sail to the hull |
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Traveller |
the position of the mainsheet block across the back of the boat |
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Kicker |
the bend the mast and therefore how deep or shallow the sail is. |
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Outhaul |
the depth of the sail especially in the lower third |
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Downhaul |
the position of the maximum depth of the sail the bend of the mast the openness of the leach |
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Daggerboard |
the drag downwind and the leeward slip up and downwind. |
Not many controls then. No rig tension, no mast rake, no jib sheeting angles. You can concentrate on getting the few controls right and quickly begin to enjoy learning to race other boats. More complicated classes will have many more controls to master before they can get down to the fun!
SETTINGS. Develop your sense of speed and adjust controls around these suggested start points:
..medium winds and flat water: (hiking fully and not overpowered)..
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control |
upwind |
downwind |
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Mainsheet: |
75mm from block to block |
90(ish) from centre-line & run by lee |
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Traveller |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
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Kicker |
Mainsheet tension plus a bit |
Eased – leach just able to flick open |
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Outhaul |
Finger length from boom |
Finger length+ from the boom |
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Downhaul |
Enough to balance the rig |
Off and push the sail up the mast |
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Daggerboard |
down |
1/2 up – to prevent skidding. |
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Balance |
Almost flat |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
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Trim |
Well forward but not nosediving |
Well forward but not nosediving |
..medium winds and waves: (waves tending to upset the boat upwind).
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control |
upwind |
downwind |
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Mainsheet: |
75mm from block to block |
90(ish) change as you play the waves |
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Traveller |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
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Kicker |
Bend the boom |
Ease so the leach just be able to flick |
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Outhaul |
V. slightly looser than flat water |
V. slightly looser than flat water |
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Downhaul |
Enough to balance the rig. |
off |
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Daggerboard |
down |
Level with foredeck to help turning. |
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Balance |
Slight heal to leeward – flat really |
Change the angles to steer the boat |
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Trim |
250mm back from flat water |
Forward and back-ride the waves |
..Over powered: (fully hiking and letting mainsheet out upwind)..
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control |
upwind |
downwind |
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Mainsheet: |
As above – let off in gusts |
As far out as you dare. 80 max |
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Traveller |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
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Kicker |
Bend the boom even more |
As much off as you feel safe with! |
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Outhaul |
HORIZONTAL CREASE IN FOOT OF SAIL |
Horizontal crease in foot. |
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Downhaul |
Tack of sail on the boom |
Right off |
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Daggerboard |
Top, level with the foredeck |
Top, level with the foredeck |
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Balance |
Flat |
Change the angles to steer the boat |
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Trim |
250mm back from light winds |
Forward and back-ride the waves |
..Looking for more power..
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control |
upwind |
downwind |
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Mainsheet: |
300mm off block to block |
90degrees(ish) and by the lee |
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Traveller |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’ |
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Kicker |
New sail?- bend the boom |
Off until leach starts to flick |
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Outhaul |
Width of wrist |
Length of hand |
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Downhaul |
Off – push the sail up the mast |
Off – push sail up the mast |
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Daggerboard |
Down |
½ up . ¼ when gybing |
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Balance |
Very slightly healed to leeward |
Healed to windward - neutral helm |
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Trim |
Well forward |
Forward-stern out of water |
..Looking for any power at all! (very little wind)..
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control |
upwind |
downwind |
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Mainsheet: |
300mm off block to block |
90 degrees+ so sail falls forward |
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Traveller |
Just allow shackle to cross tiller |
Just allow shackle to cross tiller |
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Kicker |
New sail? – bend the boom |
Until leach starts to flick |
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Outhaul |
Reasonably tight- finger length |
Reasonably tight-finger length |
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Downhaul |
Off – push the sail up the mast |
Off – push the sail up the mast |
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Daggerboard |
down |
½ to ¾ up. ¼ up when gybing |
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Balance |
Leeward heal- reduces friction |
Well healed to leeward |
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Trim |
Up to bulkhead/on the deck |
Up to bulkhead/on the deck |
Many experienced helms talk about getting feedback from the tiller extension. Grip it loosely and it will tell you things. Make a change to a setting and feel the effect.
These settings are only start points – make your own mind up.
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