Ok, cutting to the chase...suggestions on HEAVY air mast setting for the Viper

Chris Shaughnessy · January 15, 2009, 06:25:30 PM

I'm guessing Boomslang = Schoonerman (on SA), new west coast rep ?

Drew Harper · January 16, 2009, 05:18:09 AM

Yup, dats me. Schoonerman because of the big topsail schooner that sits outside my office. We'll have a big party/sail on her when the first WCC's happen on SF Bay.

Currently cruising 85 mph along the desert highway just outside Phoenix, 3am, looking forward to a days sailing in the Viper. Doesn't get much better than this.

Just got news today from Brian. BoomSlang is hull #104. Suhweet :-)

Greg Jackson · January 16, 2009, 07:41:11 AM

Quote from: BoomSlang on January 16, 2009, 05:18:09 AM

Currently cruising 85 mph along the desert highway just outside Phoenix, 3am, looking forward to a days sailing in the Viper. Doesn't get much better than this.

Watch out for the photo radar cameras on I10 once you get into town! Flash... never mind!

I'll be at the lake in about six hours!

Eric Gotwalt · February 09, 2009, 04:12:40 PM

Brian, your tuning recommendations are VERY helpful. I'm still using Doyles that were cut for the aluminum mast. Any tips on set-up? Will your tuning numbers work with the Doyles if I set up for a bit less pre-bend?

Eric

Drew Harper · March 24, 2009, 03:46:04 PM

Now, more than ever we need some solid numbers on tuning.

Are indexed turnbuckles (ronstan) allowed, by class rules?

It sure does make numbers a bit more empirical.

David Morse · March 24, 2009, 03:56:34 PM

Has Rondar ever put them on a boat? This seems to be one way that changes of that type happen. I really think that if one "calibrated" turnbuckle is used that it should open the door on anything comparable.

For tune numbers, why don't a few of us schedule a tuning session in Long Beach. I will happily host it at ABYC.

Dan Tucker · March 24, 2009, 10:25:39 PM

Simple. It's really about prebend.

Harvey Barnes doesn't even use a Loos guage, just looks at prebend...

Rattler sailed on Sunday in Miami (23-27 knots) with about 4 1/2 inches of prebend. Lowers could be pulled out to the uppers about 4' up from the deck. The Hyde main was nice & flat. Lots of vang upwind and down kept the forestay tight upwind and the jib flat too. We were as fast upwind as the boats with new Norths.

FWIW, I've never found calibrated turnbuckles to be much help on any boat.

Drew Harper · March 26, 2009, 10:03:56 AM

I'm a rookie...Only raced one Vipe regatta so please keep that in mind when I ask dumb questions. My Viper isnt here yet :-(

The reason I asked was that if there were numbers attached to wind, then it becomes more of a gauge for teaching and education. Dan's comment "pulled to uppers, 4' from deck" is the same thing, just a bit more subjective.

The Ronstan indexed buckles are used on The U20, U24's and A27's (along with Farr 30's Thompson 650's, etc) with much success. Once you know your settings, you never need a Loos Gauge. It's just a different approach to solve the same problem, perhaps with a skosh more objectivity.

We've got some experience with rig failures in the U20 class (LOL) Some large-brained people have taken a long look at the problem and come up with some solutions through discussion, testing, measurement and evaluation and finally education. We haven't lost a rig in quite some time as a result.