These guidelines should be used in all wind
conditions for optimum performance
Your Lido will perform best by allowing the
mast to rock back going to weather and forward going off the wind. To determine
the proper mast settings, attach a tape measure to the main halyard and hoist
it to the top of the mast. The mast rake measurements we use are from the tape
measure hoisted to the top of the mast to the centerline of the transom.
Pull the mast back so it is resting on the
forestay and one shroud. The mast rake measurement should be 20’ 3-1/2"
and 20’ 4-1/2" (Classic Lido 14) or 20’ 7-1/4" and 20’ 8-1/4"
(Post 6000 Lido 14).
Pull the mast forward until it is resting on
both shrouds. The mast rake measurement should be between 20’ 11" and 21’
0” (Classic Lido 14) or 21’ 1-1/2" and 21 2-1/2" (Post 6000 Lido 14).
The Lido 14 Class Rules restrict the amount
you can optimize the boat. However, it is very important that the centerboard
is centered in the boat and is allowed to gybe to the maximums allowed in the
rules. Also, the centerboard should be positioned as far aft as allowed by the
rules.
Finally, all control lines should have
maximum allowable purchase to make adjustment easier.
In discussing sail trim, there are four wind
conditions the sails will be adjusted to. Unless mentioned otherwise, consider
our guidelines should be used in all conditions.
|
Drifting |
0 to 3 knots |
|
Underpowered |
3 knots to both people sitting on the weather rail |
|
Powered |
Both people sitting on the weather rail to hiking as hard as you can keeping the boat flat |
|
Overpowered |
Both people hiking hard and not keeping the boat flat |
There are four variables to consider when
trimming the jib: Jib leads, Jib halyard, Jib sheet-upwind, jib sheet-downwind.
The jib leads should be as far forward as
possible
The jib halyard is used to control the draft
of the sail. The draft of the sail should be about 40% back from the luff. When
the jib halyard is at the proper tension, the lower third of the sail should
have VERY slight crow’s feet. The halyard must be tensioned as the wind
increases to keep these crow’s feet in place.
The jib should be sheeted as tight as
possible for the wind conditions.
Foot Curl
View of Jib Leech (Starboard
Tack)
When reaching without the whisker pole, the
jib sheet should be eased until the jib is just about to luff. If the wind
conditions allow the crew to sit to leeward without heeling the boat, they
should hold the jib sheet between the jib lead and the jib clew. From this
position, the crew should pull down on the sheet to tighten the jib leech so
that the jib luff breaks evenly. Also, the crew should adjust the jib foot
tension to achieve a similar foot shape as seen when going upwind in drifting
conditions. If the boat heels, have the crew trim the jib through the jib lead
from a position to keep the boat flat.
When reaching and running with the whisker
pole, the pole should be trimmed so that the draft is at 50%. Because the
whisker pole is relatively short, do no use the pole when reaching if doubt it
will be effective.
The main halyard should be pulled to the top
of the mast in all conditions.
There are five adjustments to make on the
main as wind conditions change.
The main should have wrinkles from the luff
to the clew in the lower third of the sail. The cunningham must be tensioned as
the wind increases to keep those wrinkles in place.
The outhaul tension can be gauged by the
distance between the main foot and the boom.
|
Wind Condition |
Distance between main foot and boom |
|
Drifting |
6" |
|
Underpowered |
6" to 4" |
|
Powered |
4" to 2" |
|
Overpowered |
2" to 0" |
Mainsheet, Boom Vang
and Traveller
Upwind Trim
In all conditions, the boom vang should be
slack. Also, the mainsheet should be tightened until the top batten is parallel
to the boom. The ribbon at the top batten should be flowing between straight
back and just drooping or curling behind the leech.
In all conditions except overpowered, the
traveller should be centerlined. In overpowered conditions, the traveller
should be dropped to leeward to help keep the boat flat.
Off the Wind Trim
In all conditions, the traveller should not
be adjusted. Also, the boom vang should be tensioned to keep the top batten
parallel with the boom. Finally, the mainsheet should be eased until the sail
is about to luff.
The boat should be sailed as flat as possible
in all conditions and points of sail except downwind with the whisker pole.
When sailing downwind, heel the boat to weather to reduce wetted surface.
In Under-powered conditions, the skipper
should sit just aft of the jib lead. The crew should sit just in front of the
jib lead. In drifting to underpowered conditions, the skipper and crew should
move 6" to 12" forward. In overpowered conditions, the skipper and
crew should move aft.
The centerboard should be all the way down
when going upwind. Off the wind, the centerboard should be raised to reduce
drag; however, if it is raised too far, the boat will slip sideways. For
reference, the board should be raised 1/3 on a beam reach. It should be raised
all the way up when running straight down wind.
Please contact us if you have any questions
about this tuning guide or Lido 14 Sails.
Good
Luck!