Vampire's ongoing research into improving his point to point racing downwind got me thinking about the reciprocal scenario of those inevitable close reaches.
Here in the Vancouver area we cross the Strait of Georgia frequently when distance racing and cruising, and after 3 years of doing it, 100% of my crossings in both directions have been at apparent wind angles of about 35-75 degrees. A specific reaching sail might just be worth it in future.
Friction Loss carried a Jib-top that worked well for them on the way to Hawaii and that is an easy solution. I am wondering if anyone has experimented with a Code 0 assymetric on the Frac rig (I don't have any desire or funds to go masthead). A number of you fly assymetrics when cruising and without a pole. Any thoughts on a fractional code 0?
Yes a pole would be beneficial, and an easy configuration might be to fly a high cut Code 0 off the end of the spin pole at pulpit level. The down haul would need to be strong and moved out to the pole end (lots of luff tension on a Code 0). The other option would be to fly it from the tack on a strop although less effecient.
Just stimulating some conversation. Any thoughts?
