"Bart" wrote in message
ups.com...
What is a "Fractulator"?

It is a jury-rigged system to pull the mast foreward when flying the
spinnaker. It's set up using the jib sheets and/or halyard


How is it used?

hook the jib halyard to the jib's tack fitting, and crank in on the halyard.
Moves the masthead foreward. The headstay (or, usually tuff luff) is very
loose and sloppy.

What types of boats have them?

Fractional rigs.....hence the name. It sounds like a name that Paul
Lindenberg might have come up with.

[1 pt]
For each part!


Think of your sailboard's mast.....lean the mast forward ... it goes down
wind... lean it back, it goes up wind... same on a sailboat... yes, it
really, really makes a difference... just for fun, keep the back stay tight
(up-wind style), get the boat going downwind as fast as you can... then ease
the backstay...watch the knot meter jump... get that mast tip farther
forward... speed goes up...

(I get bonus points for this!) (and another couple if Paul Lindenberg really
did coin the term!!!)