I have a t-shirt that I bought secondhand for 50 cents that says that. It's a pink t-shirt, a little tight, with a picture of a martini glass on it, and it always seems to get attention.
Anyway, we tried out the new mast today, and it's a stiff one for sure. I think it's way better than our old mast, but we sure haven't gotten it tuned up right yet. We were slow as death in the first race, because the rig was way too tight. I backed off the uppers in the second race and that was better, but the lowers were still too tight. And the headstay sagged too much. And it was way more responsive to small changes in backstay than my old mast. I wonder whether the butt of this mast should be moved aft a little bit, or the forestay should be tightened up. Something's off, for sure. But it was fascinating to sail with it, and to notice how many things felt different: the shape of the jib, the responsiveness of the backstay, the feel of the helm, the angle of the mast downwind. It reminded me of why I find Etchells so mysterious and fascinating. These masts are infinitely adjustable, and getting it almost right can feel nearly as slow as having none of it right. I'm not sure which one we were tonight. In the second race we were better than the first, but yikes. It's a whole different boat with this mast.
I know drivers who can notice the difference in the responsiveness of their car that different wheels have. It's hard for me to imagine ever tuning into a car in that way. But man, a mast? Worlds of difference.
Happy sailing!!
Posted by: wab | August 01, 2006 at 10:43 PM
I am always amused by the name of your sailing team Hooked on Tonics... a couple of weeks ago I was in Gloucester and saw a boat that reminded me of you guys, "Fin and Tonic" Alas it was a motor craft not a sailboat.
Posted by: wab | August 01, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Looked like you had a whole bunch of headstay sag, and a full jib. Downwind, the stick was a bit inverted. Putting it together, I'd suggest that the uppers were too loose (or the lowers too tight). Probably the former, since your point was not the best. But then, how did the main look to you? Just a thought from your wacko RC.
Posted by: | August 02, 2006 at 12:02 AM
Shoulda read your post more carefully. You might consider sliding the butt -ahead-, which will tighten the headstay. If the helm felt really neutral, that might be the ticket.
Posted by: sidhra | August 02, 2006 at 12:11 AM
I wonder if replacing the starboard jib block may make a difference.
I have no idea what I'm talking about.
Posted by: Slice | August 02, 2006 at 10:46 AM
I'm not anywhere near the point of worrying whether my butt is too far back, but I must agree with you that the Etchells has a mystique. Those who don't know what it is are awestruck (awestricken?) by its looks, while those who do know give the impression that they are honored to be in its presence.
I got my PHRF rating for the Dillon Open Regatta, and it's scary. I have to give time -- lots of time -- to every other boat on this lake, except maybe a couple of multihulls. And that's even with a motor hanging off the back of the boat.
The Etchells mystique works both ways.
Posted by: Carol Anne | August 03, 2006 at 02:56 AM