I am going to convert my boat to continuous lines - any advice? I will probably replace the lines - what type do I need to be spliceable? How much slack should I allow? I see different methods of passing the lines across the boat - is three holes best?
How are people getting on with flattener? Easier to sail and still be able to stay within sight of other boats?
I don't want to go down the B rig option but starting to struggle with my cumulus at 13st - not sure if its just age. Any other big wind suggestions?
I am staying with my loop and stopper tie down for the clew. The extra head clearance is great and the confidence of slightly reduced power has a huge effect. For our shorter legs when the wind is cross the res, cack handed me would lose more cleating and uncleating strings .
An easier to sail Solo for less than £75 all in
When the wind gets up to the point that a helm is very uncomfortable taking his boat out - is a B cut sail a good solution? Not talking about option for the highly competent or super fit but for your average club sailor. To my simple mind it seems it would be no different to choosing to swop a full Laser rig for a Radial rig when conditions and comfort demand. Am I right or wrong? Any practical experiences?
Graham, I'll have to add a comment to support the use of the "B" plan sail. I am only a recent recruit to the Solo, buying an older Winder 1 last year. I sail on the coast at Blakeney in tidal water which although sheltered from the North sea can be rough. Many here sail Lasers and the choice of a smaller sail can mean the difference between having the confidence to sail- or not. Bearing in mind we can't sail every weekend, the chance to go sailing in less than ideal conditions is often taken. This weekend was just such an occasion. I bought a plan "B" sail through this website for around £30 last year and have used it a few times. On Sunday it was gusting to nearly 30mph with some decent waves and the sail was ideal, great fun and manageable most of the time. You can flatten it too much with kicker and cunningham, it has to be able to breathe. It is not going to be a race winner though I did manage a second - which was more to do with staying upright than sailing prowess - as you have to sail to the normal handicap. I'll be interested to hear how Ian Cherill get on with his plan "B" and read his blog with interest.
Hi - I'm new to a Solo, having been a (poor) Laser sailer before. Managing to race about once a week so hoping to improve. Sadly onlyone other solo at my club, and they're never out!
I've noticed that when tacking it seems quite easy, if not exactly to stall, certainly not to come out as fast as I would like.
I vaguely remember someone mentioning it before, possibly as a hasard of the fully battened main?
If anyone could share any key pointers for good tacking maintaining boat speed, I'd be very grateful.
I know there are quite a few videos on youtube, but there don't seem to be any 'sailing a Solo' books around compared to quite a few for teh Laser - is that right? It would be good to have one source covering key basic info about general setup and particularities of the boat. I usually…
I'm looking for some advise on up wind setting for a cumulus mast and North F3 sail, do people stick to North tuning guide or try something different, I seem really slow and can't point nearly as close to the other boats around me
Cheers Daren
I'll be down on Wednesday cheers Guy, hopefully see you before we go out, my boat is behind dunes, so launch off the beach by the car park
three fairleads each side ( my inhaul goes direct to a cleat on the thwart)
Pull each line from the mast step straight through the cleat then keeping it straight, lower the line onto the deck- two marks either side of the rope where it crosses the thwart gives the fairlead position.
Repeat for the other two lines