TOPIC:

I am the proud new owner of 6833, which I sailed for the first time on Sunday, and have a couple of questions which I am sure are pretty obvious but a bit of advice would be appreciated.
With quadrant levers, shroud levers and a muscle box on the forestay, what would be the best way and how much should I let the rig go forward off wind.
The tiller and tiller extension are very short, is there a recommended length for the tiller.

Cheers
Ian
1546
6833

I think there was a very comprehensive article from Barney Harris in a recent Alive where he had set measurements for his rig both upwind and down. This should give you the detail you need about how far to let your rig go forward downwind. I'm not in the UK at present so can't look it up for you, but I'd guess it was about this time last year.

As far as tiller & extension are concerned I think there's probably a good deal of variation as it's quite a personal thing. Again I can't measure my own at present since I'm not there!

With regard to the movable rig I would strongly recommend that you invest in changing the components of your system before too long. The quadrant levers were notorious for breaking at the corner where the shroud is connected. A good amount of damage has been done to Albacores in the past with broken masts resulting from the breakage.

Good luck with it and enjoy your sailing!

Your tiller & extension should be long enough so that you can comfortably sit forward of the thwart in light weather, but not so long that they interfere with tacking. The ones supplied by the major manufacturers are usually pretty good - you could nip into a chandlers and measure them up!
Michael McNamara recommends that your mast should be able to touch the front of the gate when the boat is running downwind
Hope this helps!

Norman

That's an interesting comment about levers.

On my Albi I have a multi cascade for the shrouds plus the RWO Shroud levers - www.dinghy.purplemarine.com/rwo-shroud-lever-long.html - have you come across these levers failing or is the problem with a different type?

Normally when going down wind I loose off the cascade then flick up the levers to let the mast go right forwards.

Cheers

John

Lots of discussion on tiller length here on the US forum:
usaa.albacore.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=361

I would second getting rid of the quadrant levers, too many of them have failed to risk keeping them in the boat (they haven't been made for years so are probably overdue for replacement anyway).

JohnWin: Levers of the type you have are different to the quadrant levers mentioned above.

For previous discussions on adjusting rake see:
www.albacore.org.uk/alb/index.php?option...view&catid=4&id=7570

Thanks for all the advice.

BTW not sure who to contact but 6833 is still on the site for sale, and it is not, she is on my drive waiting for a new tiller extension and cascades on the shrouds!

Hi John

Thanks for the reassurance on the levers.

I have to say I am a big convert to the Albi - I bought mine last year in August and it is such a great boat!!

Cheers

John