Fireball Questions

I've worked out why we went over, he didn't uncleat the jib, it's a self tacker and has proven in the past big enough to take us over if left cleated, the main was out and the boom in the water once your up on your ear.

We're just inexperienced as a team and as you all know and I've said often enough it's the crew that wins or loses it.

I'm going to have a look at that furball close up, see if we can't drag those luddites into the 21st century, albeit screaming.

I'm not looking to get rid of the Alto, just see if something else could be cobbled together that would suit a lighter crew in a blow.

The handicap doesn't bother me, they are letting us use 925 now, not that it does us any good and he does get discouraged when to him we are so far ahead, ashore on the trailer quite literally last night yet still finished last. It was chilly so no watching public to placate him with my normal 'no-one sees what goes on in the clubhouse on the spreadsheet, they just see you coming ashore first' and although he keeps smiling I can see he's becoming dispirited especially when he's done well and not got anything wrong.

Edited by iGRF - 24 May 13 at 8:57am

Get something you can class race against at your home club.

"I'm not looking to get rid of the Alto, just see if something else could be cobbled together that would suit a lighter crew in a blow". 

In a blow the most important thing is for everything to work smoothly and easily, do you not think that life is too short and sailing time too limited spend time cobbling something together. The Alto is a sorted boat that you really like, is it really worthwhile spending time and money on a project when you could be sailing instead?

Originally posted by iGRF I've worked out why we went over, he didn't uncleat the jib, it's a self tacker and has proven in the past big enough to take us over if left cleated, the main was out and the boom in the water once your up on your ear.

Does the self tacking cleat need lowering by 50mm or so?. The standard position is now lower and  most likely for the reason you experienced. One reason the jib is self-tacking is to minimise capsizing when the jib is not unjammed, a common reason for capsizing when the jib is large. However in a good breeze and with largish waves it can still take you over if left jammed and not  previously eased.

Go for it Graeme! If you can afford it and don't want to have a good resale value then that is up to you.