Topper sail

Lol i have a new sail but i use my old one for training so im afraid the friendly squaddy theory might not work !

Sorry to go back to the small topper sail bit of this thread it takes me abit of time to keep up. 

I had a small topper sail about 10 years ago, fed up with the reefs blowing out in a big wind which is when you want a smaller sail, a badly reefed sail is even more difficult to control than a full sail.  I found  an old sail and took it to my local freindly sail loft and got them to cut it down to the size of 2 reefs.  Leave the luff tube at full length so no new spars are required, reinforce the  new head, leach and clew, small topper sail for a fraction of the cost of a new topper one!  I know it won't satisfy the topper class assoc for opens etc but will do for your sprogs learning at the local club. You may even find an old topper sail abandoned in the club boat house or from your friendly squad member who has just bought a new sail, there seem to be a few of them on this forum.

Originally posted by Wave Rider Harry i havent looked yet but for the nat's in Larg's is it going to be hard to find accomodation cos i am persueding my parents that they want to drive me up ther !

I would get your accomodation sorted, Im going up there for the youths and its been pretty much full booked for a while.

On the centremain I was totally against the idea but I changed neways cos its faster in light winds plus in my opinion. Unless your block to block upwind (which is easier with centremain sheeting angle) then there should be no change in spar shape or whatever. You shouldnt be breaking spars neways! I went 3 years of racing toppers without breaking a mast section or boom;.

The 6:1 Downhaul isnt need either, Ive pulled mine so tight before in a force 6/7 that I thought the rope was going to break, any more purchase and I would n't have oulled on any extra. If you can't pull it on fully with 3:1 you just need to improve your technique.

Edited by Bennett

Yeah i'll definately be there........i've just payed my TICA membership ............waiting for my championship numbers to come, no luck yet tho, do they come with instructions on where exactly to put them cos i had them on my old sail and arent sure where they go really !

I've ordered a new sail from Sailing Solutions and it should be delivered in April sometime. Well in time for me to try it out when the weather gets a little warmer (I'm a wimp )

I don't think I'll get a new downhaul just yet, although mine is rather basic. However, a new kicker could make a difference, I think.

Can't wait, now!  I'll let you know how many times I've capsized in the first half-hour...