I just bought a Pearson Flyer that has just the two original genoa tracks.
One track is on the rail and the other is way to far inboard.

On my previous Flyer I installed a track that split the difference, and the
mainsail was always back-winding the first 25% when pointing. Does that hurt
my pointing ability or speed?

If I put a new track a little further outboard than my previous Flyer will
that hurt my pointing ability even if the mail is still back-winding a
little?

Some say there is nothing wrong with back-winding the 1st 30% of the main.
If that's the case can I put the new track a little more inboard and point a
little higher?

Is there a good rule-of-thumb for the degrees off centerline to place a
genoa track for a 7/8's rig?

BTW, my new mainsail is cut a little flatter than my last mainsail on my
previous Flyer. And we seemed to do very well with the main back-winding on
my last Flyer. But as any racer, I want to get just a little more out of the
boat.

Thanks for any help,

Dennis

Dennis,

A good question! I have a Gulf 29 and I've found that as I've closed the
Slot, with the Main, I too can get higher on the wind. I see a slight
decrease on the Speed-O but the grove seems to be much more stable.

I'll be interested in the replies

Ole Thom

Thom, do you have a page with pics of your boat?


RB

"Dennis Vogel" wrote:
I just bought a Pearson Flyer that has just the two original genoa tracks.
One track is on the rail and the other is way to far inboard.

Capetanios Oz wrote:
Have you tried the inboard track?
It may be OK with new sails and possibly in heavy air when sheeting
close but having the head and middle twisted way off sometimes works
in flat water.

Right. I was thinking it was the track for the #1 in moderate air and less
wave/chop, when the boat can really point high.

Dennis, why do you say the track is "way too far inboard"? Does it look like it's
been moved?



On my previous Flyer I installed a track that split the difference, and the
mainsail was always back-winding the first 25% when pointing. Does that hurt
my pointing ability or speed?

Nope.

Hmm.. usually backwinding is not necessarily bad, but that doesn't make it good.
Couple of things could be happening.


Is there a good rule-of-thumb for the degrees off centerline to place a
genoa track for a 7/8's rig?

8 degrees from the boats centerline to the tack fitting.

Oz's suggestion about a barber hauler is a good one. Frankly I like having sheet
leads farther inboard, you can always get the sail outboard for footing but it's
impossible to get the boat to point when you can't get the sail in enough.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

None of the Flyers use the inside track. Major backwinding of the mainsail.
It's in the factory location.

I think I will jury-rig a barber-hauler. But it is hard to tell what's
better without another boat sailing beside me to use as a standard.

Really don't want to drill any more holes in the boat than are necessary.
It's a 1982 boat but in almost new condition. Hardly ever sailed and spent
the last five years on a trailer.

Dennis


Dennis, why do you say the track is "way too far inboard"? Does it look
like it's
been moved?

Dennis Vogel wrote:

None of the Flyers use the inside track. Major backwinding of the mainsail.

Maybe nobody has the right sails or is trimming them wrong? How much racing do
you do against other Pearson Flyers, and how similar are the boats? Many of the
so-called 'one-design' keelboat classes are so dissimilar that they really
should be called 'free association' classes.


It's in the factory location.

Do you think the 'factory guys' were really so clueless?



I think I will jury-rig a barber-hauler. But it is hard to tell what's
better without another boat sailing beside me to use as a standard.

Ding Ding Ding you win a cookie!

FWIW it's a lot better to have the lead too far inboard, when beating, than too
far outboard. Although the Flyer is a relatively light keelboat, it's still in
the 'pinching trumps footing' category. I suspect that a lot of people sailing
these boats are 1- sailing with the body of the main too far forward 2- are too
worried about backwinding 3- never really worked that hard at getting tuning &
trim correct (which is impossible in non-one-design environment anyway).



Really don't want to drill any more holes in the boat than are necessary.

Very good thinking.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King