In chop, when the mast is weaving around through the air, more twist
does give more power.


Donal wrote:
Is this easy to explain? I would have assumed that more twist would mean
less power.

Well, the easiest way to explain it is to say, "Buddy Melges says so"
and it seems to work... but that's a cop-put isn't it...

To my possibly limited understanding, when the boat is both pitching and
rocking, the flow across the sail is very inconsistant. Loosening the
vang allows more twist and opens the leach... you don't want it totally
loose, just 'somewhat looser' than would be good for the wind strength
otherwise. The greater twist allows more of the sail to be at the right
angle of attack at any given instant, since it is changing widely as the
boat rocks & pitches. The open leach allows flow to re-establish itself
as far as possible, as quickly as possible, and allows the pressure on
the upwind side to flow out the back and add drive.

BTW trying to point very high in these circumstances doesn't work as well.


I apply silicone grease a couple of times a season. Afterwards, a little
flick of the index finger will send the car to the far end of the track.
Also, I've had the boat from new, so I am fairly confident that the bearings
are OK. They are not noticably worse than when the boat was new.

Sounds like the bearings are definitely not shot!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King