Quantum STAR 2003, Tuning Manual

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A) Track system
All boats built since the mid 80's have not used the track system but this is still a
very good way to control the backstays. The tracks have the advantage of
transferring load to the boat so they are easy to pull back. It is also easy to see
on a jibe when they are back far enough to hold up the mast. The control lines
can be back at the end of the track or led forward so the crew can face forward. I
like the standard aft location with a fairlead after the cleat so the crew faces aft on
the jibes and it can be trimmed from anywhere in the boat and the line will stay in
the cleat. On the tacks release the old windward backstay in the tack so the
backstays don't cut in to the sail. If you need to duck another boat or go around
the windward mark you are ready. The crew then resets it right before tacking.
With Harken tracks shockcord is unnecessary to pull the car forward. Shockcord
pulls the backstays too far forward when released on tacks. The big disadvan-
tage of the track system is that to get the rig far enough forward on the run you
usually have to let the cars forward and you always need to let off the upper and
lower on each side which means you have three adjustments to make instead of
one.
B) Under the Deck Systems
The under the deck purchase systems have become the standard system today.
The under the deck system has the advantage of having only one control to let
the rig forward on the run and after the first jibe. It’s also easier to pull every-
thing back at the leeward mark. There are basically three variations.
The first under the deck system, and still used by many Europeans, has a coarse
adjustment of 2 to 1 adjusted by the crew with a fine tune for the skipper with
about 12 to 1 that controls both the lower and the upper. There is then a separate
lower adjustment directly on the backstay. The problem is in repeating the
adjustments after each tack or mark rounding. You basically have to retune the
backstays each time. On the current boats the backstay is further forward and
outboard so you can leave them set when tacking but it’s still hard to repeat the
tune you had on the last weather leg. You also can't adjust the upper indepen-
dently.
The final simplification that made the under deck system overtake the track
system is when Buchan took off the fine tune. He also moved the backstay
forward and outboard so the backstays would never cut into the main. Bill also
added a purchase, making it 3 to 1 under the deck, so it is easier for the crew to
pull the backstay back off the wind.
A third system is used in Switzerland on Josi Steinmayer’s boats and the newer
Lillia's. It's similar to the Buchan system but is above the deck. It is very simple
just consisting of a two to one purchase and a cleat right at the backstay
attachment point. The upper and lower adjustments are just like the track and
Buchan systems. You jibe facing aft like with the track system.
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