North Sails One Design

J/24 Tuning Tips

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Higher and Faster

Provided by Tim Healy

White boat (left) - Tim Healy / Yellow boat (right) - Brad Read
(click on image to a larger view)

The picture tells it all. When we (white boat) eased out the main and genoa, I was able to keep the boat on its feet. As we got closer to Brad (yellow boat) he sheeted in tighter in order to maintain height but he started to heel more and slide into us. Tighter trim does not = better height.

Note the difference in the sail trim notes below. The end result was that the white boat was flatter, faster and maintained height better.

Conditions:
Wind- speed 12-16 knots.
Seas- 2 foot chop on top of 4-5 foot rollers.

Trim: Tim Healy (white boat)
Genoa- 4-8" gap at spreader tip and chain plates.
Main- Traveler - 2" above center.
Boom -1-2" below center
Main sheet- top batten 5 degrees to leeward of parallel to boom.
Backstay- On 1/2- 2/3 of max

Trim: Brad Read (yellow boat)
Genoa- 2" off spreader tip and chain plates
Main- Traveler - 1" above center
Boom - 2-3" below center
Main sheet- top batten parallel to boom
Backstay- 1/4-1/2 of max

Good Sailing!

For tuning help, contact the North J/24 experts.