But a lady never sails to windward! 

Annie Hill wrote:We tweaked the line a little - it was squeaking horribly for a while - but I think the fact that my lower mast is so slippery (anodised aluminium) allows the line to move easily.  But I shall be keeping an eye on all the adjustments we have made. 

I have to say that I am really pleased to get rid of the Hong Kong parrels, which seemed to put heavy loads on the battens: I agree with Blondie and Jock that they spoil the set of the sail on the port tack and that the loadings are concentrated rather than evenly distributed. 

Apparently the fact that I nearly overtook a 30 ft catamaran, downwind, impressed the skipper - a neighbour told me that there was some talk about Fantail's sailing abilities at the bar in the Park Cafe!  I am absolutely thrilled with the way the boat sails and - certainly with me at the helm - she is faster and more weatherly than she was with the Bermudian rig, which, of course, I did not enjoy sailing.

Modifications duly noted Annie. I would have loved to have seen the look on the cat owners face. I'm trying for a launch date before July 6th next year.

We tweaked the line a little - it was squeaking horribly for a while - but I think the fact that my lower mast is so slippery (anodised aluminium) allows the line to move easily.  But I shall be keeping an eye on all the adjustments we have made. 

I have to say that I am really pleased to get rid of the Hong Kong parrels, which seemed to put heavy loads on the battens: I agree with Blondie and Jock that they spoil the set of the sail on the port tack and that the loadings are concentrated rather than evenly distributed. 

Apparently the fact that I nearly overtook a 30 ft catamaran, downwind, impressed the skipper - a neighbour told me that there was some talk about Fantail's sailing abilities at the bar in the Park Cafe!  I am absolutely thrilled with the way the boat sails and - certainly with me at the helm - she is faster and more weatherly than she was with the Bermudian rig, which, of course, I did not enjoy sailing.

I have added two photos of Fantail to the photo gallery. They were taken before the Hong Kong parrels were removed. The luff hauling parrel has now moved up, to run from the heel of the yard, to the second batten down, to the fourth batten down, and thence to the deck. A line has also been added from the tack, around the mast (above the mast lift), and back to the tack. These modifications have resulted in a better set to the sail, and I hope to be able to add some "after" pictures in due course.