The basic principles
In strong winds it is best to have a flat sail, achieved by
using lots of downhaul and lots of kicker but keeping some
shape in the bottom of the sail with the outhaul.
In medium winds it is best to have a full sail, achieved by
using no downhaul, only a little kicker and by having the
outhaul at a looser setting.
In light winds a flat sail is needed again. Achieve this with
the outhaul set quite tight. Do not use downhaul or much
kicker in these conditions.
v. light force 0-2
Kicker – sheet in the mainsheet so the mainsheet blocks are
200mm apart.
Take up the slack on the kicker.
Downhaul – none.
Outhaul – tight but not so tight that there is a crease in the
foot of the sail.
Traveller – Tight but just loose enough that the shackle can
slide across the tiller without catching.
Hunting for extra
power force 2-4
Kicker – sheet in the mainsheet so the mainsheet blocks are
75mm apart.
Take up the slack on the kicker plus a little more.
Downhaul – none.
Outhaul – so there is a maximum distance from the boom
to the sail of about your hand length.
Traveller – very tight.
being overpowered
force 4-6
Kicker – as much as you can pull on.
Downhaul – as much as you can pull on.
Outhaul – tight but just little enough to maintain a curvature
in the foot of the sail.
Traveller – very tight.
These are a guide only. Much depends on your experience,
weight and strength.
In waves you will need a fuller sail – use less outhaul for a
given windstrength.
P16.
Adjusting the sail
Your new sail is made from the highest quality Dacron
material which has exceptional durability and resistance
to stretching. These properties ensure that your sail will
retain its shape throughout its long life.
Follow the simple setting instructions given below to obtain
optimum performance from your sail throughout the range of
wind strengths.
Owners manual Topper 8/2/06 12:35 Page 16
