Home Tuning Guides Advanced Racing

Advanced Racing Tuning Guide

Championship-level settings and techniques from Goacher Sails. Expert tuning for competitive racing.

15 min read Advanced Level

Goacher Sails Base Settings

Measured on 2008 Duffin / Through deck sheeting / Selden mast

Transom to front gate 2888 mm
Transom to mast heel (aft face) 2830 mm
Transom to shroud 2405 mm
Shroud to shroud 1329 mm
Jib tack pin to shroud 1959 mm
Jib tack to back of tracks 2390 mm
Jib tack to front tracks 2314 mm
Rake 6624 mm @ 29 Loos
Mast to deck (front face) 15 mm
Spreaders 380 mm from groove
Spreader deflection 180 mm to aft mast
Jib tack to deck 50 mm

Spreader Measurements

Spreader length controls the lateral stability of the mast and how easily the mast is allowed to bend off, de-powering the rig. Measure with the mast down from the mast to the point where the shroud runs through the spreader.

Spreader deflection is measured by placing a straight edge connecting the shrouds at the spreader tips. The deflection is the shortest distance from the straight edge to the rear face of the mast.

Rig Tension Control

GPs can take a large amount of tension. Tension stiffens the rig and reduces luff sag in the genoa when sailing. Rig tension is a powerful control and must be measured accurately.

Critical: Use a Loos Gauge

  • Normal tension: 400lbs (29 1/3 on Loos Professional gauge)
  • Consistency is key: Always use your own gauge, don't borrow others
  • Mark your settings: Mark the wire height on the mast for on-water reference

Steve's Pro Tip

Light & difficult conditions: Ease the rig to allow luff sag in the genoa, which rounds up the entry and makes it much easier to sail.

Breeze conditions: Hold tight rig in breeze as this holds the genoa flat. The main is designed to flatten off sufficiently even with lots of rig applied.

Mast Rake Setup

Measurement Procedure

  1. 1 Attach a tape to your halyard and pull up to the top black band
  2. 2 When certain it's correct, walk the tape to your transom
  3. 3 Measure to the top of the middle of the transom

Championship Setting: Rake measures 21ft 9½ins at 29 on Loos professional

Mast sits 10mm out of gate at this setting

Chock Control System

Using a chock to control the amount the mast bends at deck level when sailing is extremely powerful.

Chock In (Power Mode)

  • ✓ Keeps mast straight
  • ✓ Mainsail stays deeper
  • ✓ Middle of mast pushed aft
  • ✓ Mast tip moves forward
  • ✓ Main leach tightens
  • ✓ More power generation

Chock Out (Depower)

  • ✓ More mast bend allowed
  • ✓ Flatter sail shape
  • ✓ Reduced power
  • ✓ Better control in wind
  • ✓ Use when over-powered
  • ✓ Use when easing mainsheet

Recommended Setup

Use two 5mm thick chocks instead of one 10mm chock. This allows more accurate control of the settings.

Quick decision guide: Am I over-powered? Am I easing mainsheet? If so - depower! Take a chock out.

Leach Tension Management

Main Leach Control

Leach tension is critical and controlled by mainsheet or kicker. The goal is to harness as much power as possible by turning the breeze through a large angle without jeopardizing overall flow over the sail.

Wind Range Primary Control Setting
0-8 knots Mainsheet only Click or two of ratchet block
8-15 knots Mainsheet + Kicker Leach telltales stalling <50% time
15+ knots (overpowered) Kicker + Boom position Boom end on quarter with kicker applied

Mainsheet vs Kicker Effects

MAINSHEET:

Pull angle is effective at closing the leach directly

KICKER:

Bends the mast which then opens the leach

Rule: Don't use kicker tension until you must, to maintain power in the leach

Jib Car Control

Jib cars control leach tension in the jib, but sheet tension has far greater effect on leach tension.

Mark jib sheets at deck level - Know your jib is correct to within 2mm when coming out of a tack
Cars back only in extreme wind - Only move backwards when main is being eased over edge of transom
Avoid sacrificing pointing - It's faster to de-power the main than go cars back. Only in very booming conditions!

Advanced Sail Controls

Genoa Luff Tension

Goacher sails don't normally sew in the luff wire, allowing you to adjust luff tension and jib height.

More Tension:

  • • De-powers by flattening sail
  • • Rounds luff for easier wave sailing

Setup Options:

  • • Cleat on foredeck (preferred)
  • • Cleat on sail itself

Remember: If you adjust rig tension, the luff sag and entry angle of the jib is affected

Cunningham - The Under-Used Tool

Goacher sails pull the luff rope fractionally tighter than other sails, providing adjustability as there's always some elasticity in the luff that can be pulled out using the cunningham.

Lead to Thwart

For easier crew access

Grind On in Wind

Don't be afraid - really pull it!

First Thing Off

Release immediately in lulls

Effects: Cunningham de-powers, bends the mast off, and slightly opens the leach. Don't forget to readjust your kicker when using cunningham!

Outhaul-Inhaul System

At the mainsail tack, use either a rope around the mast or a Goacher mast slider that slots in the track (better than a pin on the boom - allows it to ride up when going off-wind).

Light Wind Trick

  1. 1 Let off the outhaul
  2. 2 Push the tack up the mast
  3. 3 Jam on the outhaul again

Effect: Pulls the clew toward the now-higher tack, taking pressure off the leach when there's insufficient breeze to keep it open.

Steve's note: Makes your main wear out more quickly though!