Contender Tuning Guide

Basic Setup

Rake – 21ft 2in
Spreader length – 430mm
Spreader Angle – 100 -110mm (track to line straight between wires at tip)
Prebend – 20 – 25mm (with the lowers slack)
Lowers Tension until the mast is straight
Shroud Tension 26-28 on a Loos gauge

Centreboard Position Upwind

GUIDE SETTINGS

0 – 8 knots – Vertical
9 – 12 knots – Up 5-8cm (from vertical)
13 -18 knots – Up 10-15cm
19 -25 knots – Up 20-25cm

It is almost impossible to change your mast rake on the water but because the top mast is long and the lower mast is controlled by the lowers, as you pull on the kicker the mast tip moves back in much the same way as it does when you increase mast rake. This creates weather helm so to balance the helm the centreboard angle should be adjusted. This becomes the key to speed through the wind range. The exact positions will vary depending on your weight and height as well as the stiffness of your mast and the seastate, but the principle is that as the wind increases raise the board enough to keep the helm balanced and the boat driving forward as opposed to luffing and stalling in the gusts. If you raise the board too far the boat will feel easy to sail but you will be unable to point. There is always some tolerance when searching for the optimum board angle, so if you want to point high and you are prepared to sacrifice a little speed lower the board a little, if you want to go low and fast raise it.