Performance Catamarans Prindle 19 - Rig Tensioning; SECTION II: SAILING; To Weather Sailing

Tightening the rig tension
After the boat is completely rigged with sails
up and mainsheet connected, it is time to
tighten the rig. You should not attempt to
do this by yourself or if it is windy until you
have done it several times.
Turn the boat until
the wind is blow-
ing from a 45
o
angle to the bow.
Ease the traveler
out to the lee side
and sheet the
main in tight.
Have your crew sit
on the trampoline
to keep the main-
sheet from
uncleating and the
boat from tipping.
With the main
sheeted to lee-
ward, the leeward shroud will be loose.
Move the shroud down a couple of holes on
the adjuster, but not all the way down.
Replace clevis pin and ring. Loosen main-
sheet.
Turn the boat so the wind is coming from the
opposite side. Ease the traveler out to what
is now the lee side and sheet in. The new
leeward shroud will be loose. Move the
shroud down to the corresponding hole in
the adjuster as the first shroud. If the rig is
still loose, move the shroud down one or two
more holes and repeat with the other side
until the rig is fairly tight and both shrouds
are in the same hole on the adjuster.
It is possible to over-tighten the rig which
will make the mast hard to rotate.
When you take the boat apart, be sure to
loosen one side only before taking the main
down. By leaving one shroud in the correct
hole, you will only have to tighten one side
next time you go sailing.
If you are not happy with the mast rake you
have, simply lengthen or shorten the
forestay turnbuckle. Be sure to leave at
least 10 complete threads into each side of
the barrel.
SECTION II: Sailing
Sail Trim
To Weather
The main traveler should be centered with
the main and jib sheets in snug. Be careful
not to pull the sails in too tight. If the main
is oversheeted (too tight), the mainsail will
be too flat and the boat will not move very
fast.
If the jib is over-
sheeted it will stop
the air flowing
between the leech
of the jib and the
mainsail. This gap
(slot) between the
jib leech and the
mainsail should be
about 12 inches
near the top of the
jib.
The jib tell-tale on
the leeward and
windward sides
should be streaming back. If the windward
tell-tale on the jib is flopping forward you
should head the boat downwind a little. If
the leeward tell-tale is flopping forward, you
should head the boat into the wind a little, or
if you do not want to head up any further, let
the sail out a little.
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