I'm considering a restoration project on an early (2002) Winder Mk 1.
My question is this:
Has anyone had to resort to mast cut outs to deliver competitive mast rake?
Has the front bulkhead position changed?
What changed when the design was re-decked (1a) ?
Hello all, I have recently started sailing a solo at club level racing (Southshields). There is quite a strong laser dinghy presence and some solos which is great. The last race I did was very challenging - I could not get the solo to point to windward as high as the other racers and trying to figure out why. It seemed I could only get power heading 10-20 degrees further down wind than the rest of the fleet.
I suspect that my settings were not correct. It was a good breeze 15-18 knots with gusts of 25-30 (probably the strongest I have sailed in yet). I had the kicker on as hard as I could, the same with the outhaul and the cunningham too. The one factor I did not try (as I was too busy enjoying all the rolling and spilling caused by wind over tide) was the center…
Hi Robin, I hope you’re still sailing your Solo and that these comments helped.
I’m the new Solo Northern Rep and I’d love to hear from you as a recently keen Northerner and also as we don’t reach the North East with the Northern area series, something I d like to change
Andy Carter 07789526104
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?
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
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
I don't think there are any problems with bulkhead position on early Winder 1 hulls. Have several at my Club and they go well. The bulkhead is not a problem a sit is at least 3060+ from transom, I believe it is 3065mm. Later 1a is 3070mm afaik. Also the step position is pretty high relative to sheerline and back of gate is min measurement. You may still need to cut the back of a new mast if it is long (fore/aft) to get good balance. This also relies on the c/board position and leading edge (ie the CLR of boat).
There are boats of this manufacture that work well with both cut outs and no cut outs. Extreme rake will also giver a very low boom if the sail is anywhere near max leech length. Most of the tuning guides are in the ball park but remember they are guides and be prepared to fiddle a bit to optimise.
As for scooping on tacks IMHO it is a red herring, high freeboard is your best friend here... I expect to get flak for that thinking, but am prepared to take it.