Misha Heemskirk is generous with advice on how to trim the Hobie Wild Cat;
If you have some other boat, the list is still interesting, because it generally shows which trim features he looks at, and most sailors will usually not think very much about rudder rake, for example
from this page: [
www.mischaheemskerk.com]
Hobie WildCat Trimsheet
Mast Rake
Measure from the bridle to the transom with the trapeze wire.
Light conditions no hull flying: 7cm under the top of the transom
Rest of conditions: 11cm under the top of the transom
Mastrake is influencing the downwind perfomance more so than the upwind.
Downwind with mast forward position makes the boat sensitive on the bow. Rake 1 pinhole back makes a huge difference.
Spreaders base setting for all boats on 50mm is within range. Some sails need more power adjust forward till 32mm for more power.
Diamants base at 38 on the black Loose Gage or 370 on digital Harken tension gage. For more breeze increase diamant tension with 20 quarter turns on the diamant bolt.
Battens mainsail comes with 2 stiffnes battens . We are only using the softer battens in the main.
Batten endcaps some mainsails need their battencaps moved closer to the boltrope. Some endcaps are more than 3mm from the boltrope move them till they are 3mm. Unscrew all the bolts and move the holes forward of the endcaps.
Outhaul 5 or 8 cm play with the boom
Mast rotation
Most important for rotation: PLAY WITH IT!! To learn the influence.
Apply yourself indicators on your trampoline for mast rotation position. 6kn and less From center of the mast aim 8cm behind the shroud. 9kn to 14kn, rotate 58cm to 108cm behind the shroud on the hull. More kn rotate in to reduce power. Go all the way to center in strong breeze.
Downwind open the rotation all the way to parrallel the front beam.
Cunningham quickly go to 50% when there is enough pressure.
Jib traveler center traveler 5cm inside of inside rail strud. Clew in the middle eye for all conditions.
In second eye of the front for above 15kn.
Jib cunningham Run a tight cunningham to reduce the rounding in the top in 12kn and more.
Jib sheeting Up to 10kn of breeze run a tight sheet for max power. Tight sheet, the leech of the jib 8cm(3inch) inside the spreader. As soon as you start to pull main cunningham also ease the jibsheet to end of the spreaders.
Daggerboards upwind totaly down in general. Very windy conditions raise boards 15cm. Downwind raise the boards 45cm. They will make noise, sharpen the trailing edge to end the concert.
Rudders apply two extra rubbers for more rudder rake aft. This will increase feel in the rudder. They will make noise, sharpen the trailing edge to end the concert.
Start on the line the boat is good in holding it’s spot. Weight position on the boat helps even more. Crew sit on the front beam, helm sit 50cm from the rear beam to keep pressure on the bow.
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