[Public-list] Main Setup

[richard.hazlegrove at wachovia.com]

Joel,
Regarding your question about boom height and the size of my mainsail,  on 
Quest the main is the maximum size allowed under the class rules.  It has 
not been shortened.  My bimini allows slightly under 6' of headroom which 
is as tall as I was able to design the bimini without interfering with the 
boom.  If I really tighten the vang it can just touch the highpoint of the 
bimini.  Unless I am racing however (with the bimini down) it rarely needs 
to be that tight.  In the photos you may have noticed the position of the 
boom with the sails down, when it is clipped to short pigtail off the 
backstay.  It sits a little higher when clipped on.  This arrangement 
along with the rigid vang allowed me to eliminate the topping lift.  I 
simply clip the aft end of the boom to the pigtail and pull the vang 
tight.  This stabilizes the boom and allows the mainsheet and tackle to be 
unclipped from the boom/traveller and stuffed into the sheet bag which is 
stowed out of the sun and weather.  Hope that helps.
Richard