Back-winded main

[George Bush]

I have a 7/8 fractional rig on my 1989 Hunter Legend 375. My present genoa is 150%. What I am finding is that for winds over 13-15 knots apparent , the main back-winds really badly. There appears to be no loss of performance but as a CYA instructor the sail looks terrible. I have tried any number of adjustments: curringham, halyard tension, back stay tension, genoa fairlead position and genoa sheet tension, all to no avail. In my experience, I have sailed other fractional rig vessels with similar problems. Is this generic with fractionals or is there a solution?

 

[Cliff]

With out seeing it

Having owned 2 Frac boats and 2 Mast Head Boats I would quess with out seeing it that your head sail is the problem. If the draft has moved aft then your creating a wider flow of air going through the slot. This will cause the main to back wind. If it is really blowing maybe you do not have the main flat enough. You could also be on the verge of being overpowered. On my Tripp 26 we had another set of tracks for the head sail about 4 inches out board of the standard track. When it got to windy we would move the sheet to the out side track and open up the slot alittle. A little bubble in the main is ok and fast and when it is blowing pretty good having half the main being bubbled is ok long as the boat is moving fast and pointing high.Cliff