TOPIC:

I'm sailing on Hickling Broad in a nice wooden Alb 7908 with a spanking new set of Mac's. I bought an old centreboard and took 6" off due to the shallow nature of the water. At last weekend's club open, EVERYTHING pointed higher and went faster, lasers, solo's, wafarers you name it. While I don't pretend to be Sir Ben, I am no novice and not new to the Albacore class. Wind was southerly, 5 gusting 6.

Can anyone shine some light on my dilemma.
Many thanks

HB

Dear HB,

So this 'old centerboard', was it any good before you took a saw to it?

Also, just wondering because I've only sailed Enterprises at Hickling, have you tried a normal 'un-cut' centerboard in and Alb on Hickling? Is it really too shallow?

Are you sure that there aren't other reasons (e.g. rig tension, kicker etc) that could have been the issue?

Tim
A6812

Hi Tim,

The old board was fine, had been epoxied and just needed a varnish and fitted well. I was using the full board initially but could only get two thirds down, and that was only possible in the channel. Most other craft, RS400, 500's and punts use smaller boards and the Wafarers no more than two thirds board at any time.

Michael Mac gives a tuning guide and setting suggestions when you buy his sails, though you can see these on the Canadian site, the only thing I haven't checked is the deflection and spreader setting. Some of the other guy's reckon I should take another 6" off but I am sceptical about this. I have tried sailing with two thirds board and rake the mast to balance the boat. I had a few dodgy tacks in the gusts through lack of practice, but that doesn't become an issue when on a tack you see a fleet of lasers pointing higher and screaming up on you! A very ignominious end to my day!

Regards

HB

Dear HB,
The question in my mind is what effect does having a short board have on your upwind performance. It is sure to affect it and its obvious that you will make more leeway but how much?
It might just be the shortened board.
I'm guessing you have sailed you alb on other water with a full plate and so you have a benchmaker for speed and pointing?
My only suggestion is a bit obvious
You probably need to tune up against another alb (preferably a quick one known to point well) on a decent bit of water and see what difference your shortened board makes.

Tim

When I sailed at Hickling when on holiday several years ago it was very weedy - did you check for weed on the foils?

Hi Tim, thanks for that, sounds like a plan. I will just check the spreaders this weekend though. Many thanks.

HB

HI, Yeah, rudder and centreboard up on the runs to clear. Cheers mate

HB

Can't think spreaders would make that much difference I'd bet a lot of money, not mine of course that it's weed.

Haha, wise words mate! Thing is, we are all sailing on the same water and would be similarly affected.