Poor Man's Windward Sheeting and other Simple Solutions

Here's the problem.  As windward speed increases, the relative wind moves forward.  In order to have lift to windward, the mainsail has to be sheeted very high.  Tridarka uses dinghy sheeting on the main, a simple triangular sheeting method that works quite well up to a close reach.  If one pulls in any farther the purchase angle is downward and the main mast bends backward completely destroying the sail shape.  What to do?  Enter, windward sheeting.  On Bellle, I slide the main sheet traveler to windward to haul the boom over a little closer to the wind without bending the carbon fiber masts.  

Racing sailors have a set of outhauls on the traveler.  A setup like that can set you back a pretty penny. In the case of  Tridarka, I would have to have a raised track (over the high tiller head).  Then I would probably be too close to the boom creating a lot more sheeting problems, especially when going down wind.  My solution is much simpler.  A turning block, a v-block and a clip end on the boom purchase point.  I have one on each side.  The theory is that when going to windward I haul the boom to windward just a little without downward pull, thus improving the sailing windward angle.  I can't wait to see how this works!

Yes, I got the mast track back on.  I had to send off to New Zealand to a company called C-Tech for the plastic dinghy mast track.  On their advice I used Sikaflex 252 to adhere it.  Naturally it needed to be black.  Can you say "tar."  Ten minutes after having applied the activator, I proceed to make one of the bigger messes I have made so far.  Actually, the time is fairly forgiving.  The tape on each side of the track helped limit the spread.  After about an hour of cleanup, it looks pretty good.  Nice and strait and well attached I believe.

While still working with the nasty stuff, I attached a whisker pole bail.

 So here is the whisker pole. It's a Forespar 4-8 foot twistlock.  Note Duckworks Sea Dog rubber pole clips which you can buy here

I'm hoping poling out the jib will help those disappointing down run speeds.  It seems even worse when you are doing 6 knots in 6 knots of wind on beam then turn downwind to experience a sluggish 2- 2 and 1/2 knots of boat speed.  Boats with cat-ketch rigging seriously have the advantage in this scenario.  Another solution would be a spinnaker. I find that too expensive, crew intensive and complicated.  

Here's another move toward better windward ability (and she already does nicely to windward).  After building the decks with reinforcement under, I moved the jib sheet tracks in 4 inches from the previous installation.  Well, to be honest, the sheet blocks were fixed on the old Tridarka.  I already know the tracks help a great deal.  Inbound sheeting should be superb!

Here's the Garmin 78 mount.   

Forward, I carry two buckets with lines.  To the right is the fire extinguisher mount.

This Rubbermaid tube fits perfectly under the rear deck.  I hate stuff under foot.  Organization prevents mishaps.  

Looks like we're ready for Cedar Key.  I hope to see many of you there, the first weekend of May.  We will be staying at Sunset Isle RV park just outside of Cedar Key.  Our number is 38. Hope you stop buy for a visit.  Otherwise, we'll see you on the beach.