开云体育

I have a 1967(?) vintage Sunfish (Alcort Serial # 45799). I am
probably the 3rd (or 4th ?) owner, and have never adjusted the height
of the sail since I have had it (about 5 years). I SUSPECT that I am
sailing with the sail too high. When the gaff is pulled tight to the
top of the mast, the boom is about 36" off the deck. Or looking at it
another way, the halyard is tied to the gaff between the 6th and 7th
grommet/ring (counting from the lower end .... at the boom). I am
guessing that the halyard should PROBABLY be fastened between the 8th
and the 9th Ring/Grommet. Any one got the straight skinny on this one?
Thanks/JPM

JPM,

[adapted from an earlier discussion]

The current factory setup instructions counts rings UP from the bottom and
it says to tie the halyard between the 9th and 10th sail rings.
However, the published diagram shows the halyard
between the 8th and 9th sail rings. I recommend
experience as the best way to judge what is best for your sailing style. Try
it in different locations and see how you like it.

I see resort pictures where they tie between the 7th and 8th and even 6th
and 7th for recreational sailing, but I don't personally recommend the last
point at all. When the sail is up high the boat is more prone to capsize in
a gust unless you are watching carefully and reacting quickly. On the other
hand, racers sometimes have the boom down on the deck.

You can adjust the gooseneck position** too. There are positive and negative
efficiencies associated with these moves. What you choose will depend on
what you want to achieve.

** adjusting the gooseneck position on a boat without
an adjustable "quick-release" gooseneck may prove to
be a challenge because it requires tools [hard to
do at the beach] and the gooseneck pinch bolt is
often frozen.

Here is a tuning guide for performance sailing. This
will give you some insight to the sail position preferred for competition.
For recreational sailing the sail height is adjusted more as a balance
between comfort and speed.

I recommend you get a hold of a copy of the Sunfish Bible.
The book discusses, among other things, the reasons
and purpose behind the fine points of boat setup.


Wayne