The B plan, as this ancient manuscript details, is effectively a four batten option to the Plan A sail, loosing a good proportion of the bottom panel and therefore providing an altogether easier ride for the overpowered helm. There is no doubt a mathematical formula to give the exact square area reduction but this is far beyond the reach of my skills, a dozen still adding up to thirteen if my bakers arithmetic is correct. Like a sighting of a rare bird, seeing a B plan in action is very unusual and if so, it is usually accompanied by a sharp drop in barometric pressure and even then, its usually somewhere far from where the Plan A’s are flocked. The B Plan Concept Of course the reduced sail plan design was introduced just so inexperienced sailors could still venture onto the water in conditions which otherwise they would stay safe ashore, the experience gained hopefully developing their skills, technique and bravery until they felt competent enough to rig up the big sail. The B Plan Reality The B Plan has, up to now been rigged on the conventional spars, the head of the sail sitting approximately 75cms below the tip of the mast and the foot, 20cms from the outer distance band on the boom, two features which, IMO completely flaw the intent of providing a rig which will make racing the Solo easier. The standard taper on the Solo mast is approximately 150cms, therefore the B Plan is set on a spar with 50% less gust response, the feature built in place to aid heavy wind sailing. The standard boom length is 2700mms but the max foot length of the B Plan is 2505mms, therefore a good proportion of the boom at the outboard end is surplus to requirement. Time to Tweak the Concept My proposal is to shorten the Solo mast by 75cms, this allows the current B Plan sail to be hoisted to the top of the mast, the taper working effectively for 100% of its length. This would also reduce the overall weight of the mast and help reduce the tipping momentum. The boom could be shortened by 15cms, reducing the weight by a few grams, reducing the potential impact injury from a errant tack or gybe and of course reducing the chance of the boom end hitting the water. Cost Implications So, given that this would require a shortened mast, those who want this option could source a mast to adapt, though whether insurance companies would cover such an alteration is questionable. The option of a shortened boom would again require either a donated spar or one bought secondhand. If the rig proved to be popular then I see no reason for the spar suppliers not to offer sections appropriate to the optional While there may be some discord from the heavier sailor who could feel that this alternate rig would favour the lightweights, the truth is that this demographic has seen the Solo helm ideal weight increase quite dramatically over the last 20 years with the introduction of laminate sails, stiffer mast sections and of course FRP hulls with weight concentrated towards the middle. Likewise, there has been only small developments in softer mast sections. Of course, the heavier sailor can still opt for a B plan when it’s honking, the outcome would be interesting to see. B RIG Objective The objective is firstly to make the B Plan sail work optimally, increasing the effectiveness of the section in conditions it was designed to be used in. dimensions. Advantages Secondly, I would like to see lighter sailors and with it, more females and youths launch into a force 4-5 and race against the full rigs, potentially on equal terms. There is no doubt that the well mannered nature of the Solo hull and it’s deeper cockpit are huge plusses, the over-canvassed sail though makes it a handful unless you are 75kgs+. I
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