Function and Beauty One of my personal grievances with the current B Plan is that it is hoisted on the standard length spar and boom, the handkerchief sail resembling a storm sail on a yacht, the boom jutting up into the sky which while practical is not visually sexy and sexy sells. There is some scope in the current rules to maximise the sail area but up until now, the sailer has usually requested that the sail cut is minimal, my proposal is to increase the leach length by 100mm to allow the rig to replicate the modern A RIG. So, a rig that works more e ff ectively with a fully optimised taper, sail area slightly increased low down to provide increased performance and a shortened boom to limit tripping in on gybes and tacks. There is already in place a rule to allow a lifter which would shorten the leach by 200mm if the sailor wanted too and this applies to both rigs.
Don’t Do as I Say I have gained permission from thew NSCA Committee to investigate if these alterations would benefit the B Plan concept and if the outcome is positiver then I would put forward rule proposals on May 1st. Please do not chop your new mast down until we have an outcome. I cut down a donated Superspar M1 (thanks Spoons) after checking the old version of the rules which shows the max length of luff to be 4267mm (upper point of lower band to upper band), effectively 75cms. I then reconnected the foot, repositioned the halyard exit point, repositioned the mast collar, gooseneck and opened up the mast groove to accommodate the luff rope feed. Angle grinder, file and rivet gun the only tools required. (Left) I have opened up the mast groove, ensuring that I do not cut through the actual enclosed section. Filing this smooth with a rotary grinding tool is preferable as you do not want to snag your sail on it when hoisting. I later fitted the plastic luff feed. Of course I had to cut the shrouds and forestay accordingly, fitting new eyes and ferrels. I would suggest you measure them with the mast in position as my donor forestay was a bit short. Jon Clarke at Edge sails altered the bottom of the donor sail, re-using the leach panel and hardware and he added some shape to the foot as we went with a loose footed sail. A lens foot might prove advantageous and is optional in the current rules.
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