I think theres a big difference between "luff tensioning" and "putting
on some cunningham."
While trimming a boom downhaul will serve to flatten a main,
a cunningham cringle, due to it's placement above and slightly aft
of the tack, is a much more efficient attachment point to bring the
draft of the main forward.
also: just about every sailmaker I've ever talked to or been on a boat with,
is adamant about one thing: too much leff tension is terrible for a
sail, whether
it be a headsail or a main or even a chute.
my 2 sensibilities...
tf
James Calleran wrote:
I am a bit puzzled by the frequent assertions that people are
using cunninghams with their sliders for luff tensioning since
the slider and the halyard together should be adequate for luff
tensioning.
The mast on my '76 came with two black bands: one near the masthead
and the other near the boom. I'm not a racer, but, as I understand
it, when one is racing in a one-design class, the black bands mark the
maximum luff length allowed by class rules.
With the sliding gooseneck loose, the main is hoisted to the top
band. Then the downhaul - the line attached to the gooseneck is
tensioned until the tack aligns with the lower band. That should puts
some tension on luff and ensures that the wrinkles are out. When,
e.g., in breezy conditions, you want to put more tension of the main
you pull down on the cunningham. You get a stretched -- but not
lengthened -- luff.
Jim Calleran, BayBird, C27 #2784
Mathews Yacht Club, VA
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