Miracle Main Sheeting

   I had 2 mirrors, one which I converted to centre and one aft.  I would have to say that there was no benefit at all in the centre boat, its just too small so introduces more problems than it solves.
I now have a Miracle which again I converted to centre main.  2:1 on the back with a strop on the transom and a ratchet with cleat on the back of the c'case.  I also bought a new boom which was cut so that the mainsheet runs inside it to keep it out the way.  I went sailing a couple of weeks ago with my 5 year old and I let him helm (good F2 gusting 3).  All I did was sit on the thwart facing the transom, he did the stick and I did the main.....perfect!  I prefer centre as I think the tacks are neater but having raced Ent's and Lasers I agree that there isn't much in it.
For kids the centremain option just means you can help them when it breezy.

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Barty Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Post Options Post Reply Quote Barty Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Miracle Main Sheeting Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 12:47pm
	I had 2 mirrors, one which I converted to centre and one aft. I would have to say that there was no benefit at all in the centre boat, its just too small so introduces more problems than it solves. I now have a Miracle which again I converted to centre main. 2:1 on the back with a strop on the transom and a ratchet with cleat on the back of the c'case. I also bought a new boom which was cut so that the mainsheet runs inside it to keep it out the way. I went sailing a couple of weeks ago with my 5 year old and I let him helm (good F2 gusting 3). All I did was sit on the thwart facing the transom, he did the stick and I did the main.....perfect! I prefer centre as I think the tacks are neater but having raced Ent's and Lasers I agree that there isn't much in it. For kids the centremain option just means you can help them when it breezy.
	For Topper boats & spares in Scotland-highlandtopper.com

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 1:01pm
	Isn't the lack of space in the Mirror with centre main why they're going to Gnavs?
	-_ Al

Barty Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 240	Post Options Post Reply Quote Barty Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 1:05pm
	With the normal kicker it doesn't matter if its rear or centre there isn't enough room for anyone over the age of 10. The GNAV for the Mirror looks good but isn't very effective but then any adult just uses the mainsheet tension as the kicker!
	For Topper boats & spares in Scotland-highlandtopper.com

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 1:36pm
	I sail boats with both systems. If sailing inland on small water in mainly light winds, the aft main allows much better movement around the boat. If sailing on open water in stronger winds, the centre main allows for better sheeting angles and more control gybing. So, each has its day, and beyond that it becomes a personal decision.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 10 at 6:48pm
	Of course the joy of having an older boat is that the traveller track is always there if you want to swap around, which is what we do with the club GPs.
	the same, but different...

Steve H Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 29 Jun 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve H Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Sep 10 at 1:59pm
	Thanks for the advice. It's interesting to see that about the toppers. I think I will do the conversion and see how I get on. It is easy to convert it back, if I can't get on with it. Thanks again Steve

Owenfackrell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 19 Jul 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote Owenfackrell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 10 at 10:34pm
	My Miracle has centremain and it also has cleat which makes tacking very easy when sail either singlehanded or with my daughter as I don't need to worry about keeping a tight hd on the mainsheet. Mine picks up on the centre board case and that means the aft section of the cockpit is clear. Wether it offers any speed advantage don't know but you only need to look forward.

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 10 at 8:20am
	I sail a Nat 12 with the almost obligatory aft main arrangement. I find it works well in all conditions apart from downwind when it is honking and you need to hang over the transom to stop the nosedives. At that point it always feels odd sat next to the mainsheet. Overall, to my mind the freedom to move around the cockpit outweighs any perceived benefit of centre main. I also sail a boat(RS300) with a centre main which I could not imagine ever being right with a transom main! Edited by The Moo - 05 Oct 10 at 8:23am

Lukepiewalker Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 May 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lukepiewalker Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 10 at 10:06am
	In most short boats you have to consider the weight distribution during tacks as well. Hence the classic Europe centre mainsheet tack while facing backwards.
	Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile"

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Oct 10 at 1:58pm
	I know of a Laser sailor who faces aft when he tacks with the mainsheet locked in a centre jammer. Looks wrong but it seems to work well particularly in light airs