Dinghy development: Mainsheet tension in a Laser?

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Mainsheet tension in a Laser?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2267
Printed Date: 17 Aug 25 at 8:59am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Mainsheet tension in a Laser?

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Subject: Mainsheet tension in a Laser?
Date Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 10:48am

I've just started sailing a laser after many years of sailing boats with jibs. I have always set the sheet tension on these by just getting the top leach tell tale to break (flying ~70%of the time), and this works (in 5 to 12 knots of wind). It appears that in the Laser you just go block to block in anything over 5 knots ( as per Ben Ainslie's book). This does not get any flow at the top tell tail. I would be interested if anyonwe can explain this - are the basic sheeting rules for the mainsail leach different in a single sailed boat? I find it hard to understand as the top of the sail in both cases is not under the influence of a jib.

PS I suspect that Ben is right, but I would like to know why.

Replies:

Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 1:39pm

If you look at the luff curve in the sail (when you roll it out to rig it) you see if is fairly curved. You need to match the mast shape to this curve by adding kicker tension. The amount of kicker tension required for "the same" leach tension increases as the wind speed increases. The top of the sail should "pant" with the gusts (close in the lulls, open in the gusts).

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -

Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 1:49pm

Originally posted by Oatsandbeans

I've just started sailing a laser after many years of sailing boats with jibs. I have always set the sheet tension on these by just getting the top leach tell tale to break (flying ~70%of the time), and this works (in 5 to 12 knots of wind).

Maybe that was right for the classes you were sailing but that's too little tension in most classes I'm familiar with.