main sheeting

[Vega1447]

Hi Wilhelm,
can you go into more detail on adjusting the cunningham and the benefits
that follow?

Is it just a quick way to change the tension of the luff of the sail -
loose in light airs, tight in heavy airs?

In other words is it just an alternative to directly adjusting the main
halyard tension?

Thanks

John

V1447 Breakaway

WL wrote:

 

[wxt8981]

Hi John:
I've seen other way to make a cunningham work, but I'm happy with the way I set it up.
You need (at least) two blocks, a jamcleat, and some 1/8" line
(you most likely have these things already)
I started the line from the goosneck, up to the second slot from the mainsail, back down to the first slot, and then down to the camcleat.
By tensioning the line you close (or open when loosening) the sail curvature (and you should see the folds along the boom to diminish- or get bigger, telling you're doing wrong)
It takes some practice, but it's easely done, and with the right tensioning, the boat's speed will be higher.
Have fun..... Wilhelm, V-257

 

[SVFlyAway]

The Cunningham was "invented" by Briggs Cunningham (American entrepreneur
and America's Cup yachtsman). He invented it years ago to tension the luff
of the sail using a cringle sewn into the sail a few feet above the boom.
The reason for its invention was to beat the racing rules at the time, which
had a maximum hoist on the main. Having the Cunningham allowed the sail to
be cut fuller for lighter airs, but also to be tensioned in heavier airs and
still keep the overall measurement of the sail. from boom to the marking at
the masts top, legal (this is black band you can see on some racers today).
It is still used by racers as it is a quick and easy way to tension the
luff when one has a fixed boom as most larger boats do (actually the new
mast I had built for my Vega has a fixed gooseneck fitting).

 

[Vega1447]

Thanks Wilhelm.

I have it installed but was not sure what the purpose was - to my
discredit I know.

I have a cringle just aft of the luffrope about a foot above the boom.

I'll try connecting up the cunningham to it.

It is presently used to "downhaul" the gooseneck which is free to move up
and down the track.

I suppose that by tensioning the luff I also keep the gooseneck from
sliding up the track...

My understanding is that using the cunningham I can tighten the luff of
the main and by so doing I can move the draft forward in stronger winds.

Please correct the above if I am wrong.Thanks in any case - I look forward to trying it out.

John

V1447 Breakaway

John A. Kinsella Ph: +353-61-202148 (Direct)
+353-61-333644 x 2148 (Switch)
Mathematics Dept. e-mail: John.Kinsella@...
University of Limerick FAX: +353-61-334927
IRELAND Web: John Kinsella's Website

 

[wxt8981]

Thanks for this info; even though I'm sailing single handed I use
(set) the cunningham according to wind condition.
My boom has a 'permanent' lower stop; I have a pin (easely removable) for the boom's most common position (the boom can go up, but not below that position). When I bend on the main, I get it as high as I can. Then I set the cunningham's (position or tension, whatever it is called).
Tomorrow I'm going sailing again, coudn't for the last two weeks- hurt my back... age is creeping upon me....
Wilhelm, V-257