Sutton Sailing Club

Sailing Tips Number 2

Getting the Best from your Topper Sail

Your new sail is made from high quality Contender material, which has exceptional durability and resistance to stretch. These properties ensure that your sail will retain its shape throughout its long life.

Follow the simple setting instructions given below to obtain the optimum performance from your sail throughout the wind range.

Wind and Water Conditions	Light 0 to 1.5	Moderate 1.5 to 3.5 smooth water	Moderate 1.5 to 3.5 rough water	Heavy 4 plus overpowered
Downhaul	No tension, allow horizontal creases on luff	Slight tension, creases just removed	Slight tension, creases just removed	Increase tension as necessary to de-power
Outhaul	Tight, but without a big crease in foot of sail	Ease 1 to 2in from light setting	Ease 1 to 2in from light setting	Tight as light setting
Sheet Horse	Ease 1 to 2in from very tight	Very tight	Tight	Very tight
Mainsheet tension (when beating)	5in between blocks	Block to block	3 to 4in between blocks	Block to block, except when forced to spill wind
Kicking strap (vang)	Take up slack*	Take up slack*	Take up slack*	Very tight

* In light to moderate winds, the kicking strap should be set up after the mainsheet tension has been adjusted for the prevailing conditions. The mainsheet tension is the more important because the kicking strap controls the mast bend and sail twist only when reaching. in strong winds, if it is necessary to spill wind on the beat, the kicking strap should be very tight indeed.

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