Asymetric Fireball performance

   I am puzzled by the apparent difference in performance upwind of a Fireball - on port tack it points better and has better speed than on starboard and I cannot understand why - everything appears to be 'straight', settings remain the same but it simply doesn't 'flow' as well and feels to be rounding up into wind and then falling off the wind.
I would be grateful for any thoughts on this. 

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Chief Wiggam Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chief Wiggam Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Asymetric Fireball performance Posted: 02 May 06 at 9:03am
	I am puzzled by the apparent difference in performance upwind of a Fireball - on port tack it points better and has better speed than on starboard and I cannot understand why - everything appears to be 'straight', settings remain the same but it simply doesn't 'flow' as well and feels to be rounding up into wind and then falling off the wind. I would be grateful for any thoughts on this.
	THE ISLE OF WIGHT - "2 MILLION SEAGULLS CAN'T BE WRONG" WHITECLIFF BAY - CHAV FREE BOATING FOR THE LOCALS

Bruce Starbuck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 124	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bruce Starbuck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 06 at 9:36am
	Is this a permanent feature or a one-off? If it happened for the first time this weekend, I'd say that the waves were probably different from one tack to the other. If it always happens, then something has to be asymmetrical about your boat.

Chief Wiggam Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chief Wiggam Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 06 at 10:56am
	It's not a one off but I acknowledge the waves aspect - it has been noted by a 'borrowed crew' in relatively flat water as well so I'm thinking that I need to get the laser level out and re-check the straightness again - thanks for the advice
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jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 06 at 12:06pm
	Wiggam, This could be down to several things. 1) A bent mast, put the rig tension on with no main hoisted and look up the mainsail track, it may be abvious if the mast is bent. 2) Uneven shroud length, could cause the mast to look bent when in fact it is straight. 3) Spreader angle/deflection different on each side 4) Jib cars different on each side 5) Warped centreboard/rudder I would start with the bent mast though, if you have capsized and had it hit bottom it is surprising how easily they bend. Hope that helps, Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Garry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536	Post Options Post Reply Quote Garry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 06 at 4:47pm
	Quick tip to check for straight mast (even shroud lengths). Put rig tension on. Take the halyard to each quarter of the boat (may need to extend with rope or measuring tape - it should measure the same. Also sight up luff track with rig tension on, is it straight?
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

Stefan Lloyd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stefan Lloyd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 06 at 8:45pm
	I might be wrong, but don't Fireballs allow gybing boards? In which "case", that would be worth checking. There is a class association forum; you might get a more class-specific answer there.

Chief Wiggam Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chief Wiggam Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 06 at 8:31am
	Thanks for all the feedback - I'm thinking that now it's rig related as I have had new shrouds recently (although all looks well) - I know what I'm doing this weekend!
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jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 06 at 9:55am
	Was is ok before you had the new shrouds? Or at least even on both tacks before you changed shrouds?
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Chief Wiggam Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chief Wiggam Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 06 at 11:46am
	This 'problem' has occurred since the installation of the new shrouds - but I have also done some other works inc new rudder/centreboard and some structural re-inforcement as well. I would be very surprised if something within the boat was not straight as the original builder did such a good job - which leaves appendages, rig etc as being the main culprit Will update as and when the problem is found - I'm hoping to sail again on Saturday in lighter winds and will check out various settings etc then.
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