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April 17, 2024 3 min read
Whilst Jack was collecting His New Devoti ILCA we had a great chat about the ways he marks his boat with various calibration stickers. Whilst some people would not be as open to sharing this Jack has taken the time to write up why and how to used these calibration stickers.
Calibration markings are a valuable tool for optimizing boat setup and speed. Using these markings as a reference, you can note and replicate the optimal control settings for different sailing conditions. This allows you to save precious time when adjusting controls during a race and maximize your boat's speed around each mark and along the racecourse.
Having the right rig setup is crucial for each situation around the race course and using an accepted method for calibrating your outhaul can provide several advantages. It ensures consistency and accuracy in your boat setup, allowing you to fine-tune and optimize your performance. This calibration method for the ILCA dinghy has been adopted by sailing team squad sailors proving it is an effective and reliable tool to refine your boat setup and improve your overall performance on the water.
It is a very effective approach, using the same calibration system as other sailors and experimenting with different settings in various conditions during training, you can easily find the optimum.
This becomes a benchmark that you can replicate during actual racing, which helps reduce unpredictability, save time, increase confidence and improve performance!
As a new sail is used and begins to stretch, the calibration marks may not always read exactly the same. However, with slight adjustments to your sail setting, the calibration marks will still serve as an effective reference point. Use a new or relatively new sail when applying your calibration markings for the first time.This ensures that your best sails, which will be predominantly used for racing events, are properly calibrated and can provide accurate information when making sail adjustments during a race.
By using calibration markings and paying attention to the changes in your sail's performance, you can maintain consistency and optimize your boat setup to stay competitive on the race course.
Setting up your rigging properly to ensure accurate calibration is crucial for optimal sail performance. Follow these simple steps to achieve consistent and reliable sail settings:
1. Assemble your rigging using a new or your newest sail, ensuring the Outhaul, Downhaul, and Kicker are attached.
2. ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, measure 5 inches from the end of your boom and set the position of the sail with the tip exactly 5 inches from the end of the boom.
ILCA 4, measure 15 inches from the end of your boom and set the position of the sail with the tip exactly 15 inches from the end of the boom.
3. Choose a reference marker along your Outhaul control line.
For example, Sailing Chandlery ILCA sailor Jack Graham-Troll uses the centre hole of the block along the Outhaul that joins the primary and secondary lines. Jack’s Outhaul is made up with a longer primary line, positioning this block further along the boom, directly in his line of sight.
4. Attach the calibration sticker to the boom, ensuring that the number five marker line is aligned with your chosen reference marker point.
5. Wrap the sticker around the boom so that the numbers 5 to 9 align horizontally along each side of the boom, with the join coming together along the bottom edge of the boom and the Sailing Chandlery logo along the top.
The calibration marker lines should be visible around the circumference of the boom, providing a clear reference point regardless of your tack or point of sail.
The sail numbers were simple to attach
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Very good sunglasses, I’ve just had eye surgery and was struggling with peripheral light sensitivity, these are great for that and will be terrific next season sailing.
Great to see these available again, much better quality and sensitivity than the alternatives
We have just purchased the Mersea twin Laser box trailer. Ordering the trailer, and adding the lid afterwards, was easy and straightforward with accurate lead times for its delivery. We paid for delivery to the South Coast and the trailer arrived bang on time along with other items we ordered. Fantastic customer service all round!
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Our junior sailor was delighted by capacious box section with two access points and he was able to stow all of his kit to travel and then all covers, bags and kit whilst on the water today.
We're very pleased with the trailer - thank you Sailing Chandlery!
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The mast was delivered the next day what a excellent delivery service I had the mast by 0830 I now know I can count on you, well done.
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Cannot fault the service received. Queries responded to very quickly, thank you Jason. Very fast, efficient despatch and delivery. My son is very happy with the Aqua fleece.
Wouldn't hesitate to use again.
Great service from Sailing Chandlery - ordered late Thursday evening and my order was dispatched on the Friday, delivered on the Monday (standard delivery option).
The Salopettes seem well made, good fit (per sizing guide) and comfortable. Also very lightweight - time will tell if that equates to less durable as they are definitely far thinner material than others I've had from different manufacturers in the past. I've only tried them on at home so far, so not tested them in the wet but I'm pretty confident they should do the job.
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Got a set for my son who's 6' 3" and 92KG and L was way too small. Spoke to someone on the phone who was very helpful on sizing. Actually, went for a XXL in the end and he is happy with that fit so I would say these come up a bit small compared to other manufacturers although I guess you want a tight a fit as possible with hikers.
Vert happy with the service and advice. Video was helpful too.
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