Trying………

If we've been lacking in one area here at SA (okay, I really mean all areas, but for today we'll stick to just one) it has been the wide world of multihulls. Today with the help of Paul van Dyke, from Halsey Lidgard Sailmakers in Mystic Connecticut we at least in part remedy the situation with this report. Enjoy. -Ed

I just got back from the Corsair Trimaran Nationals in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. I sailed in the 17-boat Corsair 28R class, and we ended up third for the six-race regatta. There were a variety of conditions over the three days of racing. We had over twenty on the first day, and 3-6 knots on the final day of racing. Here are a few tips that we have learned along the way when it comes to getting the most out of these boats. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me direct. PDvanDyke@cs.com.

Mainsail Set Up Tips

Upwind in 12 knots true. Sheet on the main quite hard but make sure the boat is up to speed first, especially coming out of a tack. Always ease the mainsheet going into the tack, allow the boat to accelerate then bring the sheet back in. The traveler should be about 4 inches above centerline. This traveler setting depends a bit on the built in twist of the mainsail. If you have more twist the higher above centerline the traveler can set up without stopping the boat with the leech of the sail.

In medium conditions it is possible to sheet too hard and stop the boat. Always make sure you have a small amount of twist in the top of the sail. As the breeze comes on start sheeting harder. At about 14-16 true have two people pull as hard as they can on the sheet. Also start begin easing the traveler down too, and then past the centerline as the wind picks up. Ease the sheet in light winds, but never to the point were the boom is bouncing around. Once the set up is correct the sheet should be adjusted in and out to keep everything balanced and the helmsman from having to over steer. Ease in the light spots, sheet on in the puffs.

At 10 to 12 true the outhaul should be maxed unless you have waves or chop that are exaggerated to the wind speed. If you are banging into waves a lot a little outhaul ease will power up the bottom of the sail with out increasing the heeling forces on the leeward float. In lighter wind you can ease the outhaul to where the foot of the sail is about 6 inches to leeward of the boom centerline.

The Cunningham will be very firm above 12 knots true. Even when the breeze drops off do not ease it to the point where you get substantial luff wrinkles. You always want to keep the leading edge of the sail smooth especially with rotating rig. Plus the draft on multihull mains are far enough back (40 to 48 percent) that you do not need to move it back anymore.

Downwind Tips In 12 True.

There is a lot less pressure on everything because the boat is sailing away from the wind quite quickly. Never let the apparent wind angle get aft of 90 degrees. When this happens the apparent wind speed drops off a cliff and boat speed goes with it. Not good.

A good starting place for the spinnaker sheet is with the clew at or a little forward of the shrouds (12 true C28R class spinnaker). The main will be eased and the traveler about 6inches to a foot below centerline. The traveler position controls the bottom of the main the sheet tension the top. When adjusting the sheet tension look at the telltales in the upper third of the sail. When adjusting the traveler look at the tell tales in the bottom third. Once the main is set up and the tell tales a flying fairly even you should not have to adjust it much on the run unless conditions are very puffy were control is an issue.

When sailing a multihull down wind the apparent wind angle can change quite quickly because of the rapid acceleration of the boats. The best way to adjust to this is with the helm. The boat will accelerate faster and sail lower when a puff hits if the driver sticks the bow down and the spin trimmer gives a small ease on the sheet. If the trimmer is having to sheet on a lot because the driver is going along in a straight line the performance will suffer. The bow can easily go through 15 or 20 degrees to keep the apparent wind in the same spot. When you hit a light spot heat up aggressively to keep that apparent wind angle forward.

Upwind the helm should be nice and steady with slight mainsheet adjustments to keep the weather float up and the boat going fast. Downwind the driver has to move the bow around a lot more to keep the boat in the fast apparent wind groove. Of course there are a number of other factors and nuances that go into sailing these terrific speedsters. We've done quite a bit of R & D with multi's as many of you know, and if we can help provide any of you with information, or better yet, sails (!) that will help you go faster, again do not hesitate to give us a ring. We advertise here at SA because this is one of the best sources of information and dialogue in the sport. Thanks to Scot and all of you for the efforts to make communication more open and honest. Paul van Dyke

05/04/2003