DaySailer.org Forum

Well I don't think that will happen as I don't plan on racing, my sails are old and loose, according to the seller, might do some beer can race, but not much more than that as I don't have crew. but would enjoy a friendly sail with others, especially with pointers to improve my skills. September sounds like it will give me some time to get some sailing under my belt on some bigger lakes.

Tom,
thanks for the pointers. Now can you get us some warmer weather?

Warmer weather depends on St Peter. As for SAILING weather, Chesapeake tends to be nice in May/Early June, but no idea on the COVID situation then. Earlier is OK, but water is too cold. Summer winds are very dicey - either nothing or thunderstorms/line squalls. September thru Early November is the sweet spot, although I remember one fantastic Thanksgiving Weekend Cruise years ago. Thanksgiving dinner was an oyster roast on a remote beach up the Patuxent. Good times, happy memories! Hopefully we all make some more of those this year.

I set my shrouds at 250 and my forestay at 210 with the Loos gauge. The boat has a little weather helm which I like. 50 seems way too low and 400 seems too high. I don't race and never will. Can't see putting a lot of tension on the rig, chain plates, tangs, and turnbuckles. My mast is hinge at the cuddy cabin. I believe the instructions that came with Loos states 1/8 shrouds tensioned to 500. I think you need to tension the rig the way you like not 1 extreme or the other.

John

I will be upgrading to the 1/8th in stays, these have been out in the weather for 18 years, so don't want to risk a demasting

Good on you upgrading those stays! And I agree with John. Try and dial in some prebend, then relax and sail.

printed out the two link instructions that were posted, put them in my Daysailer binder for reference

Don't forget this one:

https://www.northsails.com/sailing/en/r ... ning-guide

And please remember, these are just guides. Your mileage WILL vary. Your boat, your mast, your sails, and your reasons for sailing. All different from these guides. Read them more as a way of thinking than a "Bible" to be followed. I'm fascinated by how top sailors think about their craft. .. Then I go off and do my own (usually stupid) thing!

Yeah, listen to the old salts, do what you want and learn why they were right!

A wise man learns from his mistakes. A genius learns from OTHER PEOPLE's mistakes!