I purchased my N20 in January, it's an 07 and has all the updates as far as I know. There are a couple things I have questions about. First is the main sheet. It seems to be short. For example the boom cannot travel much further out than the stern crossbeam. (I think this is so it cannot hit the boards when they are up, also when going down wind the boom is usually kept centered.) The first time I had a problem was this weekend. I was sailing and the wind started gusting to over 30 knots. I think if I were able to sheet out more on the main I could have kept the boat from flipping.

Do any of the hard core guys use a longer main sheet to allow you to completely dump the main?

My second question: Do you guys use the jib car limiter for trim or is it there to keep the car from slamming into the ends of the jib track?

Last question: Do you set the spinnaker luff tension for conditions? For example in lighter air do you let the spinnaker tack a few inches out, and in heavy air keep it tight?

Thanks.

On the mainsheet issue, did you have enough sheet to let the traveler all the way out, and also ease the mainsheet?

When you are going downwind in big wind, you don't want the traveler centered, and you also want the daggers way up if you are getting gusts to 30 and not racing toward a mark, but just trying not to flip it. Here's a thought, are you sure there isn't a spare 10 foot piece of line, for the traveler, hanging around somewhere? If not, you can easily add one, then tie it off to the tail of the mainsheet and that should give you 10 more feet of mainsheet, assuming the mainsheet you have now is also going through the traveler car.

As for the jib limiter, it depends on the jib. I have one jib that needs it to set right. I have one that works fine without it. See what works for you...

Thanks for the replies. That answers my question on the jib. The traveler line and main sheet are separate. I can let the traveler out all the way. Problem is the main sheet seems short as I cannot get the boom all the way out. In the high winds I could not round up. I had to keep the boat driving down and eventually stood it on the bows, rudders out of the water and the boat laid sideways. Also we were reaching before the storm hit. Once it hit I didn't want to send the crew down to retract the board. Plus I doubt he'd be able to get them up with the load.

What about the spin?

I have video of it I'll post soon.

The spin luff should be kept pretty tight. A general guide to check the tension is to set the spin and grip the luff in your hand. With proper tension you should only be able to rotate your hand about 90 degrees.

As for the tack line, it should stay put. I've seen people ease the hailyard a few inches in certain conditions but 99.9% of the time the tack and hailyard should remain fixed.

As for the main, you shouldn't need to dump it as far as you are describing. Sailing downwind without the spin and just dumping the main is begging to pitchpole. It might sound scary, but you will be more in control of the boat in heavy winds with the spin up versus keeping it down and dumping the main.

never mind snapping the mast !!!!!!

Well....true to a point. Water conditions play a roll but typically if it's over 30 you'll never survive with the spin up.

I'm still not sure I follow you with your mainsheet length. With the traveler all the way out, you probably shouldn't be able to sheet out enough to hit the daggerboard. I seem to remember it being close, but not far enough. Over time, I tend to shorten my mainsheet as much as possible so there's not so much slack to manage. When trying to round up in those conditions, it's important to manage your speed and try and gain some before making the turn. It's a little counter-intuitive but if you pick up speed, your apparent wind moves further forward and then you can make your turn without the wind hammering you at 90 degrees. Typically, though, it's the bear away in those conditions that's so tough.

Ok, thanks for all the info. I did post the video. In the video before we stuffed it I eased the traveler all the way. Also the main sheet is eased completely. I do understand about flying the spin down wind to keep the bows up. But was not going to try in those conditions. I was happy our capsize was so mild.

Having taken a look at your video -

I didn't see a boom on the boat. It could just be my bad eyes but I didn't see one there. That what is causing a lot of your problems being overpowered downwind.

Second, it seems to me as if the sail wasn't fully hoisted to the top. This is adding even more bag to the sail that doesn't want to be there. If it is fully hoisted then it looked like you could add some downhaul on there.

Then you had your boards all the way down - which in heavy air can cause the boat to "trip" over itself sideways.

When I was learning how to skipper my boat - I flipped it during a round up and did a lot of damage to my boat and myself. Had to get it dragged on its side back to the beach. I can only imagine how much more difficult it is for a disabled sailing crew to manage the N20 in those beastly conditions.

Kudos!

The boom is there, and the main is locked in with downhaul on, as well as outhaul. We had de-rotated the mast but it looks out.

Next time hopefully have the boards up I'm sure that would have helped.

We were lucky a friend of ours jumped in. He's in the vid towards the end. He assisted getting the sails down so we could tow it back upright. I would hate to have to tow it back on it's side. Doubt it would make it.

Thanks.

Towing it on it's side with the sails up can turn out badly...just ask Mr. Undecided up there! The boat could right itself and start chasing the tow boat. This one rammed it.

Part 1: http://www.teamseacats.com/2008/02/19/a-crushing-defeat/
Part 2: http://www.teamseacats.com/2008/03/03/fiberglass-repair-by-airmail/
Part 3: http://www.teamseacats.com/2008/03/19/jeckle-and-hyde/


Reminiscing about that repair job makes me o-so-glad that my garage is almost finished!

Jake.

I will have to give you a swirly next time I see you.

I have tried to repress those memories like they were a case of molestation.

(Thank you again for doing that work. That bow is still kicking strong!)

No good deed goes unpunished

You were lucky, being out there in that stuff! Look what happened to this group:

http://www.woodtv.com/dpps/news/nat...0-hours-in-florida-waters-1-dead_3961548


And watch out up the East Coast, that same weather system is coming to you tomorrow!

http://www.weather.com/weather/aler...r=radar&zoom=7&camefrom=national

Jake, is the white on the I20 a pure white or do I need to get a mix? I recently purchased a N20 and need to do a couple repairs. I know I saw something about it somewhere on this site, but I cant get much from the site search.

I have had good luck with straight white gelcoat making a good match on Nacras. The repair I did on our Infusion matched perfectly (white gelcoat from http://www.uscomposites.com/) and I had the same great match with a repair on my '04 F18. I can't promise that all whites are the same...AHPC uses a touch of grey in their white gelcoat and are really nice that they include this coloring information on a laminated decal inside the hulls. You should be good to go with a standard white on the Nacra. I have the vendor info in California that Nacra used for their gelcoat if you need that too (I'll have to find it).

I am sorry but taking an 80 and 4 year old out in 20-40 mph wind and rain (on a small fishing boat) is moronic. You want to risk your own life.. .fine, you want to risk your kid and parents life.... idiotic

I agree completely! But I am always amazed at how many morons there are who do this type of thing all the time. I guess it keeps the Coat Guard in business!

Go Robi! Find the missing morons!

As a side job, I fly a small 2 seater for the local Sheriff's Dept. Several years ago I got called out early one morning to look for 3 guys who decided to go night fishing...in a 14' jon boat, on Lake Istapoga (about 25 miles long, 5 miles wide) when it was blowing 20+ with squals coming through all night.

The boat swamped (geez...who woulda thought?) and two of them were found along the downwind shore (dead) but the 3rd was never recoverd (gator bait).

Brilliant. But it was fun, flying around at 100' over the lake looking for them, so it wasn't all bad. I just hope they "Darwin'd Out" before they had a chance to reproduce.

You may want to consider a gelcoat matching kit, which comes with a few different colors to mix. I think some of the older I20/N20 may need just a tinge of yellow to match perfectly, although I usually used straight white with good results. You had to know where to look (and look pretty closely) to find the repairs. Granted, I never tackled anything close to what Jake has, but it seemed like any big regatta always turned up some nicks/scratches that needed touch-up...

What's the Official Nacra gelcoat color for The Flesh Rocket?

;^)