A very interesting topic.
I have just posted some photos of 'Amiina's' new split junk rig in the technical forum illustrations. Don't know how to make the links (can someone show me how?).
Want to say that Slieve has designed me a new rig, pushing out the 'envelope' to 36% Balance(!). The sail is very powerful; 8% camber in the jibs, 6.5% camber in the mainpanels, and 5% camber in the topsail.
'Amiina' is beautifully balanced, and goes about just like a dinghy, accelerating through the turn with no fuss and no hesitation at all. She gybes so quietly, quite unlike even the other junks i have sailed. With her novel Slieve designed Downhauls there is no possibility of that dreaded fan-up that Junkies fear.
On the wind i have to reef quite early. F4 with full sail can be exciting, but with one panel down, very fast and in control. We have been out in 20 knots of wind, gusting to 30 knots, on the Parkstone Yacht Club's anenometer. Reefed to 3 panels, in the gusts and again very controllable.
Last Sunday in very light winds 'Amiina' was pointing higher and going faster than similar classed boats in a local race, despite there not being enough wind to properly 'inflate' her panels. Nothing conclusive as the wind died and the race was abandoned.
So far so good. More tuning to do, but looking forward to some more positive results in the new year.
Edward,( a very happy split-junkie )