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Freerace

GTX sail tuning guide by
Tinho Dornellas with Barry Spanier

Image 1, 2 : Great variations in power are felt on the GTX by merely changing 1cm of downhaul (image 1) and outhaul (image 2).



The sail can be sailed recreationally in very light winds or by advanced sailors in very windy conditions. For instance, an 8.5 sail can be sailed by a recreational sailor in 4-7 knots of wind, by a more intermediate sailor in 12-15 knots of wind, and by an advanced sailor in over 25 knots of wind. It is necessary to tune the sail to deal with the great pressure difference from one set of conditions to the other.


  Image 3 : Set up the downhaul for the wind range that the sail was designed for, then use the outhaul for wind changes while sailing, and for upwind or downwind sailing. If you feel overpowered by the sail, downhaul the sail more, then outhaul accordingly. You may have to increase the downhaul and outhaul extension past the recommended measurement, to achieve the stability and control desired in high wind conditions. Experiment with the settings, one change at a time, and soon you will be the fastest on the beach!




Image 4, 5 : View of the sail, properly tensioned for its lightest wind setting (Click on image 5 and then 6 to read text detail)


Image 6 : Batten #1 (top) drops down relative to other battens, showing sail twist material is loose between battens, down to Batten #3 in more powered conditions, or between #1 and #2 only in lighter wind conditions. When properly tuned for the available wind strength, the sail will feel light on the hands.


  Image 7 : Windy conditions: With more power on the sail, outhaul the sail. This setting is also used for upwind and reaching




  Image 8, 9 shows the effect of more outhaul on the sail.


  Image 10 : For lighter winds or and to gain power, or for downwind sailing, tune the outhaul as in image.


Image11, 12 shows the effect of less outhaul on the sail


Image 13-15 : The boom area shows a rounded shape towards the luff.





Image 16, 17 : Another visual cue to a well tuned sail.
The same setting when the wind powers the sail