Cal 34 pointing ability

We replaced the standing rigging on Second Wind last year. Since then we have not been able to get her to point very well. We've "tuned" the rig according to "the book" as best we can and everything seems to be about right. The mast is true side-to-side, we have about 1' of rake (acually a little bit more) in the mast. There is a VERY slight fore- aft bow at the spreaders. The shrouds "feel" about right (if there is such a thing). In a stiff breeze the lee lowers are just tight - on the verge of slacking. In a stiff breeze I am able to get everything trimmed so the helm is neutral. The one thing I'm not sure about is the forestay. Under these conditions how much sag should there be in the forestay? I'm seeing (maybe) 6 to 8 inches. My gut tells me this is too much. Everything I've read says too much sag will kill your pointing ability. I've tried adding tension to the backstay but I'm affraid I'll pull the boat apart if I add too much. Any suggestions? Keith Second Wind

Keith, it depends on sail cut and material, but on the 25 we take out (ease) all the backstay upwind and it improves pointing. Also, some scalloping in the jib luff helps. If you have a trial horse out there, do just the opposite of what you've been doing with the backstay and see what happens. My observations are all empirical from experience. No book to quote. However, I do have a few theories on why it works. How does the helm feel in light air? Is it negative? If so, Move the masthead forward. Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of kvcpls Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:37 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 pointing ability We replaced the standing rigging on Second Wind last year. Since then we have not been able to get her to point very well. We've "tuned" the rig according to "the book" as best we can and everything seems to be about right. The mast is true side-to-side, we have about 1' of rake (acually a little bit more) in the mast. There is a VERY slight fore- aft bow at the spreaders. The shrouds "feel" about right (if there is such a thing). In a stiff breeze the lee lowers are just tight - on the verge of slacking. In a stiff breeze I am able to get everything trimmed so the helm is neutral. The one thing I'm not sure about is the forestay. Under these conditions how much sag should there be in the forestay? I'm seeing (maybe) 6 to 8 inches. My gut tells me this is too much. Everything I've read says too much sag will kill your pointing ability. I've tried adding tension to the backstay but I'm affraid I'll pull the boat apart if I add too much. Any suggestions? Keith Second Wind ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

Keith, I U thing U have pointing problems, U should try sailing my Cal 24 Olde, with its super low aspect keel, I draw 2.5', have a cat boat style rudder, and without a CB to help me, well, fuggetahboutit!   Jerry --- On Wed, 6/4/08, kvcpls <KV… [at] charter.net> wrote: From: kvcpls <KV… [at] charter.net> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 pointing ability To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 7:37 AM We replaced the standing rigging on Second Wind last year. Since then we have not been able to get her to point very well. We've "tuned" the rig according to "the book" as best we can and everything seems to be about right. The mast is true side-to-side, we have about 1' of rake (acually a little bit more) in the mast. There is a VERY slight fore- aft bow at the spreaders. The shrouds "feel" about right (if there is such a thing). In a stiff breeze the lee lowers are just tight - on the verge of slacking. In a stiff breeze I am able to get everything trimmed so the helm is neutral. The one thing I'm not sure about is the forestay. Under these conditions how much sag should there be in the forestay? I'm seeing (maybe) 6 to 8 inches. My gut tells me this is too much. Everything I've read says too much sag will kill your pointing ability. I've tried adding tension to the backstay but I'm affraid I'll pull the boat apart if I add too much. Any suggestions? Keith Second Wind

Keith, Sorry, this guy has problems waking up in the morning. It's "If you think" not I U thing"! Jerry --- On Wed, 6/4/08, Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 pointing ability(Keith) To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 11:53 AM Keith, I U thing U have pointing problems, U should try sailing my Cal 24 Olde, with its super low aspect keel, I draw 2.5', have a cat boat style rudder, and without a CB to help me, well, fuggetahboutit!   Jerry --- On Wed, 6/4/08, kvcpls <KVCrowe@charter. net> wrote: From: kvcpls <KVCrowe@charter. net> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 pointing ability To: Cal_Boats@yahoogrou ps.com Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 7:37 AM We replaced the standing rigging on Second Wind last year. Since then we have not been able to get her to point very well. We've "tuned" the rig according to "the book" as best we can and everything seems to be about right. The mast is true side-to-side, we have about 1' of rake (acually a little bit more) in the mast. There is a VERY slight fore- aft bow at the spreaders. The shrouds "feel" about right (if there is such a thing). In a stiff breeze the lee lowers are just tight - on the verge of slacking. In a stiff breeze I am able to get everything trimmed so the helm is neutral. The one thing I'm not sure about is the forestay. Under these conditions how much sag should there be in the forestay? I'm seeing (maybe) 6 to 8 inches. My gut tells me this is too much. Everything I've read says too much sag will kill your pointing ability. I've tried adding tension to the backstay but I'm affraid I'll pull the boat apart if I add too much. Any suggestions? Keith Second Wind