6/25/2023 0 Comments 420 positionIt is measured off the 1/8″ sidestays with either the new Loos model PT-1 tension gauge or the older model A tension gauge. The tension of the rig is effected through shroud position and channel adjusters and tension of the jib halyard. This makes it easier to quickly balance the boat and pop it up on a plane when sailing upwind in a breeze. You can depower quickly by easing the sheet and twisting the main more open. With the vang more eased the mainsheet will control the amount of twist (the angle of the top batten to the boom). Instead sail with a looser vang in heavy winds. ![]() This creates a jib that is too full, a main that is too flat and a badly balanced boat. Too much vang tension without the tighter rig and mast blocks (see section on following pages) will lead to excessive headstay sag and overbending of the mast. ![]() By itself this set up is fine, but be careful of overtensioning the boomvang in a breeze. Since you are not able to adjust the shrouds as the rig is raked aft, the result is a looser rig, but one that is still better balanced with depowered sails. In heavy winds it is necessary to rake it aft. In light winds you want the rig raked farther forward. Each fleet may be set up differently (hopefully each boat in the fleet is identical) making the “magic numbers” different. You are restricted to the shroud settings that the host college has selected. Note: As mentioned earlier, racing the Club 420 collegiately you are limited in the amount of adjustments that can be made. If your boom is consistently out beyond the corner of the boat to maintain the boat balance when sailing upwind, you should rake the mast farther aft. Lighter crews (under 240 lb.) will tend to be overpowered sooner and should rake farther aft in lower wind velocities. Heavy crews (over 270 lb.) will want to rake aft in higher wind velocities because they can use the extra power. Raking the mast aft also moves the center of effort aft, which makes the boat naturally head up into the puffs instead of being blown over sideways. This has the same effect as moving the jib lead aft. In general in heavier winds and as you become overpowered, rake the mast farther aft which will twist open the leech of the jib and depower the sail. (Please see chart at end of tuning guide.) Note that the shrouds and, therefore, the rig tension should be adjusted as well, as the rake is ALT=”ered for varying wind conditions. For club/junior sailing the rake should be adjusted to fall between 21′-6 1/2″ for light winds and 20′-9 1/2″ for heavy air. Lead the tape measure over the top of the transom, down the aft face of the transom to where the transom meets the bottom of the boat. To measure the rake hoist a tape measure to the top of the mast on your main halyard. Usually this places the butt of the mast in the first pin hole from the front. The mast step should be set at 9′-4 1/2″ when measured from the inside of the transom along the floor of the boat to the back of the mast. ![]() ![]() Scroll down the page to read the entire guide. Our tuning guide addresses both types of sailing and the compromises necessary for collegiate racing. In club/junior sailing there may be an opportunity for adjustment. In college sailing, once the standing rigging is set, there is no adjustment to the shrouds, spreaders, mast butt position, etc. It is the recognized junior class boat in many areas. It has been sailed in numerous Youth Championships. The Club 420 is an extremely popular boat used in both college and club/junior racing. After experimentation you may find that a slightly different setting may mean even better boat speed for you and your style of sailing. The following measurements are those we have found to be the fastest settings for a Club 420.
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