Hey [Eric]

F16 solo spin comments:

I've attached a pic of my Taipan F16 alongside a fleet of F18's. Notice how low i've rigged the pole compared to the F18's (except, interestingly, the INFUSION F18 , which seemed to go low...). Doc and I have sailed our F16's in high wind and BIG waves w/ out losing or tweaking the spin pole to collision with the face of a wave (well, there was that one time in Santa Cruz but that's because Doc has the old style pole attachment...). The F16 is light enough to hit the top fifth of chop while the heavier spin cats break deeper, cut the waves in half, and would submerge a pole this low.The lower pole reduces windage SIGNIFICANTLY and will make your douses error free ( w/ the Goodall snuffer). It'll also reduce your vision forward, but this is good also because it'll force you onto the wire, which is faster than hiking it out...

Some setting specifics :

Light wind - no stopper ball , nice tight luff to help you sail lower / shorter course to the mark.

Medium to Windy - 30 - 35cm. of line between block and head of spin. With the Goodall Spin set your block to clew at the shroud adjuster. You'll be sailing hotter angles than anyone else , but Oh Man, when you foot you'll be bookin and you'll drive really , really deep (if your main is tensioned to a nice flat profile) ! At "C" mark you'll be ahead and with no more gybes than the boats that sailed lower angles...

Blowing Bacteria Off The Heads Of Bald Men : Keep the loose luff setting
(I know most people will say this is wrong...) BUT, move the block to spin clew onto the outermost tramp jib block loop. This'll allow you to really flatten the bottom and middle of the spin , sail a lower course , and keep a nice flat spin (Flat whether uphill or down is fast in the F16...).
Hey , don't touch that traveller car when sailing solo ! 2.5cms. off center on rear beam is fast solo ( about 4cm. if you've got a Big Head Main cause it'll flop to windward if you dont watch it...).
Also, go "old school" with a Harken swivel Clam Cleat for you spin halyard. The new systems aren't as reliable...

PK