I'm doing a bit of weekend beercan racing. I have slugs on my main, but there is a bolt rope as well. Any advantage to removing the slugs and using the bolt rope? All opinions appreciated.
Slugs vs Bolt Rope
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Given my racing record I probably shouldn't even comment. But until the experts come along here is what I think. Sail shape is, obviously, critical when racing. The outhaul is one of your most important tools for trimming. Loose-footed mains IMHO trim best since there is nothing to hang up on the boom. A foot with slugs would seem to be the next best option so long as they don't jam. My Highlander with a bolt rope is nearly impossible to trim. There's two cents for free.
No, because you're beer can racing. Beer can racing "rules" indicate it is done in a spirit of relaxation, not "go fast." Learn to race comfortably in your beer can races first, the question will answer itself later.
Answer #2 - Nope, it's behind the mast, what difference will it make?
Answer #3 - Slugs make raising your main much easier.
Answer #4 - Look around at other boats.
Have fun, that's what beer can racing is all about.
Answer #2 - Nope, it's behind the mast, what difference will it make?
Answer #3 - Slugs make raising your main much easier.
Answer #4 - Look around at other boats.
Have fun, that's what beer can racing is all about.
Ed, the foot comments are very interesting. I was concentrating on the luff as I only have slugs on the luff - the foot has the bolt rope in the slot. For sail shape, the foot would seem to be the area to concentrate on for a significant improvement in the main shape. I'll take a look around and see if I can change my main to a loose foot. I suppose I'd need to make sure it would take the stress.
Stu, your comments about raising the sail and the mast seem right. Luff bolt rope vs slugs probably won't affect shape much, and shape is speed. Make no mistake I AM having fun. The goal is simply to make the most of what I have rather than spend a wad of money trying to make a racer out of a cruiser. The racing learning curve is steep and is making me a better cruiser as I am learning how to make the boat fast and conversely am finding out what to adjust for comfort and safety as well. Truly understanding how to power up the sails also has helped me learn how to depower them. You guys on this forum are a gold mine for help and I really appreciate the comments!
Stu, your comments about raising the sail and the mast seem right. Luff bolt rope vs slugs probably won't affect shape much, and shape is speed. Make no mistake I AM having fun. The goal is simply to make the most of what I have rather than spend a wad of money trying to make a racer out of a cruiser. The racing learning curve is steep and is making me a better cruiser as I am learning how to make the boat fast and conversely am finding out what to adjust for comfort and safety as well. Truly understanding how to power up the sails also has helped me learn how to depower them. You guys on this forum are a gold mine for help and I really appreciate the comments!
I was hesitant to mention the luff because I don't think any Hunters of that size ever used a bolt rope. I assumed that you have the standard Kenyon mast with a track for slugs. You would need a different sail track and a new or modified mainsail to have a luff with a bolt rope. The main would be a bear to manage.
In his book "Sailing Theory & Practice" professor C.A. Marchaj estimated about 2% loss of power from a mainsail separated from the mast on slugs.
Prof Marchaj is widely recognised as the guru of everything aerodynamic and hydrodynamic about sailing boats.
After the third beer can it will have no effect whatsoever!
Prof Marchaj is widely recognised as the guru of everything aerodynamic and hydrodynamic about sailing boats.
After the third beer can it will have no effect whatsoever!
Ed - I have a relatively new main (maybe 3 yrs old) that has a bolt rope in the luff. It never occurred to me that it might not fit in the mast. Thanks for the tip.
Donalex, I appreciate the input. 2% isn't going to be worth trying to drag a bolt rope up the slot even if it will work. Thanks for the info.
Donalex, I appreciate the input. 2% isn't going to be worth trying to drag a bolt rope up the slot even if it will work. Thanks for the info.
You might have trouble getting the existing bolt rope to fit your mast's groove. Check your mast gate... will it allow a prefeed for the bolt rope? Will you be able to pull a section out if you need to reef? If your slugs are shackled on... no big deal... to remove and replace if it doesn't work out. If they're sewn on... that's way more work.
IMHO I'd look elsewhere for improvement. Perhaps the loose foot, or have the sailmaker sew a shelf in the foot.
IMHO I'd look elsewhere for improvement. Perhaps the loose foot, or have the sailmaker sew a shelf in the foot.
Color me skeptical about the 2%. Maybe if you include the jib. Anyway, that would only be signiificant in one design racing.
Mostly, I think the boltrope just makes it more difficult to raise the sail.
The last main I had built had a loose foot and it was a great sail. The sailmaker who made it Rx'ed that and he knew I was buying it for racing. It made adjusting the outhaul easy.
Mostly, I think the boltrope just makes it more difficult to raise the sail.
The last main I had built had a loose foot and it was a great sail. The sailmaker who made it Rx'ed that and he knew I was buying it for racing. It made adjusting the outhaul easy.
I'm in - scrap the bolt rope idea. You've all answered my question quite nicely. Very little to nothing gained speed wise, more effort sailhandling. I'll be hanging with the slugs. By the way, they are easily removeable, thus the temptation to change things
Boltrope IN the mast groove will prevent a LOT of adverse 'mast turbulence' and 'short circuiting' of the low pressure to the high pressure side of the suction peak that develops AT the luff of a sail.
Difficulties with boltrope-IN- the track:
• Bitch to reef
• Friction - unless you liberally apply 'sail coat' or other lube and have a CLEAN track.
• Requires that you ROLL the sail for storage (on the boom)
• Would/may change the boats 'rating' as your boat was/is normally rated for the use of slugs.
Most hard-core sportboats have the boltrope IN the mast (circular) groove for best aerodynamic efficiency .... the more efficient the mainsail the more efficient the jib ('bootstrapping effect'); thus, overall better combo efficiency.
Difficulties with boltrope-IN- the track:
• Bitch to reef
• Friction - unless you liberally apply 'sail coat' or other lube and have a CLEAN track.
• Requires that you ROLL the sail for storage (on the boom)
• Would/may change the boats 'rating' as your boat was/is normally rated for the use of slugs.
Most hard-core sportboats have the boltrope IN the mast (circular) groove for best aerodynamic efficiency .... the more efficient the mainsail the more efficient the jib ('bootstrapping effect'); thus, overall better combo efficiency.
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