Melges 17 Tuning Guide

For any question you may have on tuning your Melges 17 for speed, contact one of our Melges 17 experts listed below:

ONE DESIGN ZENDA Andy Burdick . Harry Melges . Jim Gluek 262 275 9728 F 262 275 8012 Melges 17 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tuning Guide NORTH SAILS Melges 17 Tuning Guide

Rigging Your Melges 17 You can also Mclube the spinnaker to The diamond shrouds are pre set with make it easier to pull in and out of the 4” of pre bend in the spar. Be sure to chute launcher. Keep in mind that the keep the turnbuckles tied off. Important Notes: standard spinnaker is made from silicone impregnated material so it is already very Do not sail the boat with less than

We recommend not exceeding 350lbs slippery. 3” of prebend in the mast and sufficient total crew weight as this puts excess stress tension on the diamond shrouds. These on the mast and the boat. When stepping the mast, tie off the shrouds support the mast head spinnaker bow sprit so that when tension is pulled and prebend the mast to fit the mainsail in When sailing, the boat performs best on the spinnaker halyard, the bow sprit light air. with the board all the way down in all does not extend. conditions upwind. Downwind it is best to Make sure that the ties remain on the The red boomvang line comes up sidestay turnbuckles as well to prevent pull the board up 8” to 10” on the control line except in light air it will be best to through the deck in the aft fairlead hole, the turnbuckles from changing settings or leave the board all the way down. the Cunningham comes up in the next losing turnbuckle parts. forward hole in the center of the mast It is important to always keep the ends step, and the spinnaker halyard comes up Check the spreader angle on the lower of the spinnaker halyard tied off. It is the starboard hole on the side of the mast spreaders by running a straight edge difficult to re-lead through the backbone step. across the tips resting on the shroud and to the transom, so it is important to measuring to the aft side of the mast maintain control of both ends of the After leading the chute retraction end tunnel. The measurement should be 10”. spinnaker halyard at all times. of the spinnaker halyard through the lower Also, make sure the tips are extended so grommet in the spinnaker tie a doubled there are 3 holes showing in the spreader The Roller Furler should furl counter up knot in the halyard about 12”-18” tips. clock wise when furling up the jib. So, it from the end before putting the end thru is important to roll it up clockwise before the top grommet belly patch and knotting When launching on a hoist, pay special putting up the jib. off. This allows the spinnaker to go into attention to the mast and spreaders to the chute tube without a large bunch up prevent damage on the hoist. Also, make The Spectra outhaul line coming out of spinnaker cloth at the end of the line. sure that the lifting bridle is secure and not of the thru-deck pulley on the end of the Make sure you tie big enough knots so caught under any deck fittings. boom is meant to go through the clew of they don’t pull thru the grommets. If the the sail and through the hole in the side of kite will not pull all the way into the chute Do not walk on the foredeck while on the boom and then tie a slip knot to make launcher the knots are too far apart. the trailer unless the transom is secured a 2:1 purchase. to the trailer. The MELGES 17 is very light When tying the tack line to the tack of and it takes very little weight to have The bow eye is suitable for tying the the kite, tie a very short loop and keep the the bow go down and hit the trailer. The boat to the dock or towing the boat itself, knot tight to the sail to prevent the knot trailer bunks are set up to support the boat but not suitable for towing multiple boats. from jamming in the block at the end of under the mast bulk. When towing multiple boats tie off the the pole. North E Scow Experts tow line to the base of the mast, and tie RIG SET UP! off boats behind off the base of the mast Open tank drain plugs after sailing to check for water, also, open forward 1. Untie the mast, untie the upper shrouds NORTH SAILS ONE DESIGN ZENDA as well. inspection ports to check for water and air off the base of the mast and attach to P (262) 275-9728 F (262) 275-8012 McLube the mast track and the mainsail out when not sailing. Even condensation the aft most hole in the chainplates. Be Sam Rogers [email protected] can add up to a considerable amount of Andy Burdick [email protected] bolt rope to allow the mainsail to go up sure to tighten the shackle with a wrench Harry Melges [email protected] and down more easily. water over time. and it is a good idea to use a plastic wire Gordy Bowers [email protected] tie through the shackle hole and around Jamie Kimball [email protected] Visit our web site at www.OneDesign.com for the latest Melges17 news and tuning tips. 1 © 2007 North Sails One Design. All rights reserved. NORTH SAILS Melges 17 Tuning Guide the shackle to prevent the shackle pin at the hounds. Slide the spectra loop top furling swivel to the top of the wire, from coming loose. The lifting bridle then thru the block and then the other end of shackle the head of the jib to the shackle attaches to the shackle on the upper the spectra thru the loop and pull tight. on the top furling swivel, install the two shroud turnbuckle. Attach the lower Attach the small 3mm blue jib halyard jib battens, make sure the roller furling shrouds to the forward most hole in the puller line to the lower end of the spectra drum on the boat is furled up clockwise chainplate. line, run the small spectra line thru the enough turns to completely furl the jib becket block from front to back. This when up. Attach the tack of the jib to 2. Keep the rear hold down secured to forms a 2:1 purchase with the jib halyard, the roller furling drum, lead the tack line prevent it from tipping over when rigging secure both the tail and the loop of the through the pulley on the shackle and up the mast, and keep the trailer latched to spectra where the blue line is tied to the to the cleat on the jib, lead at least one the vehicle. shock cord or gooseneck area. side of the jib sheet system, attach the top swivel to the spectra line above the loop 3. Slide the mast aft so that you can latch 6. Run the main halyard from front to back in the bottom end. Note: The Spectra goes in the mast base to the deck plate, be on the mast head, keeping the snap hook right over the pin in the furler, there is no sure to push the mast forward to hold on the front side, pull the halyard thru so other fitting. Now, raise the jib with the the base in place and take care not to the snap hook is at the top, the other end small blue jib halyard puller line, ease the knock the base out by moving the mast is tied off at the shock cord and the main jib halyard adjuster purchase all the way aft or bumping the mast as this could halyard puller is attached to the snap hook out, snap the end of the jib halyard to the damage the mast and boat if the mast and pulled down and tied off at the base. becket block and snug up the jib halyard drops to the ground. Be sure the boat is purchase system. Pull on the jib luff so positioned to avoid any electrical wires or 7. Attach any mast head Windex fittings. that it is snug and the jib will furl properly. trees or other boats when stepping the Furl the jib. Finish leading the continuous mast. Also, be sure the boomvang lines 8. Make sure that all halyards and shrouds jib sheet. Jib sheet starts in the cockpit, (RED) and the Cunningham line (YELLOW) are run clean and free of tangles and lead thru each ratchet, lead down through are pulled straight aft to prevent pinching twists. Make sure the turnbuckles are each pulley on jib clew, lead back to eye under the mast base. And, the spinnaker lined up and not kinked. strap on jib car and tie a figure 8 knot. halyard goes on the starboard side and you should place the line in the cutout on 9. Making sure the trailer is properly 11. Mast rake and shroud tension; Set up the starboard side of the mast base before latched to the vehicle, stand in the cockpit the mast rake at 26’10”.When the shroud stepping the mast. just forward of the rear mast hold down tension is set at #25 on the Model A Loos and start walking up the mast, be sure tension gauge. This equates to 210lbs and 4. Run the spinnaker halyard (yellow/ to always push forward on the mast and this is the base setting. Put a mark on the white fleck, or gray) starting at the deck, keep the mast centered to make sure the mast rake adjuster line at this setting. This go inside the boomvang bail at the base base does not pop out of the mast step is your reference point. of the mast, up the aft starboard side of deck plate. The mast only weighs 22lbs so the diamond shroud turnbuckles, lead it it is very easy to step. Once up, take the 12. Once you have the rig tuned at base, on the starboard aft side of the starboard spinnaker halyard and tie off on the top of you can put the boom on the mast. Slide spreader, but in front of the spreader the trailer mast stand, make sure the bow the boom onto the gooseneck pin, shackle turnbuckle adjuster, lead it aft of starboard sprit is tied in, make sure the other end of the vang becket to the vang bracket at upper spreader, lead it thru the pivoting the spinnaker halyard is tied off, then cleat the base of the mast and shackle the eye along side the main halyard cleat, thru the spinnaker halyard and put a safety other end to the boomvang bail on the the swivel block at the mast head and knot in it to hold up the mast. boom. Careful, the boom can slide off the back down to the base. gooseneck pin. If you put the mainsail 10. Putting up the jib; take the jib out on, hook up the tack and the outhaul this 5. Run the Jib halyard, start by attaching of the bag, pull thru the jib forestay wire will help keep the boom on, or, snug the the 1/8” spectra line to the becket block if it is not already installed, attach the boomvang slightly.

13. Shackle the 40mm double pulley to then tie a large knot about 12”-18” from at the top of the tunnel, cleat the main in the forward mainsheet eye strap; use the the end of the line. Then lead the line the mast head cleat and pull down on the locking plate on the top of the pulley to from the inside out on the top grommet luff to seat the line in the cleat. keep the block from spinning, position the and knot off with a large knot. block fore and aft. 23. Lead the Cunningham up to and thru 20. Then lead the continuous spinnaker the mainsail grommet and back down to 14. Shackle the 40mm single on the aft sheets starting in the cockpit, going the eyestrap at the tack and tie off making eye strap and let it swivel. through the 57mm Harken auto-ratchets a 2:1 shackled onto the eye straps just behind 15. Lead the mainsheet, tie off on the the chainplates, make sure that you look 24. Make sure the outhaul is lead with a 40mm double becket on the mainsheet at the arrows so the ratchets will ratchet 2:1 purchase at the end of the boom. bridle and lead thru the blocks when the sheet is pulled in. Take the appropriately. port sheet out around the port sidestay and tie off on the clew of the spinnaker. Sailing Tips 16. Now it is time to set up the Take the starboard sheet out around the asymmetrical spinnaker. Start by gathering starboard shroud, around the outside of the spinnaker on the port side of the port the headstay, stay inside the tack line, and along side the chute launcher opening. go over the top of the spinnaker retraction Angle of heel; heel the boat to reduce line, then tie off on the clew of the wetted surface in light air, keep the 17. Tie off the spinnaker halyard, look up spinnaker. Using the spinnaker retraction leeward board vertical in medium breeze and insure there are no bad leads. line, pull the kite into the sock helping it in and heavy air, work to keep the boat flat. at the same time, make sure the lines stay 18. Then tie off the tack line to the tack free and untangled. Only snug the boomvang unless you of the kite, make sure the tack is tied to need to depower the rig, the vang will the bow eye, goes up through the bow 21. Launch the boat blade out the mainsail. sprit pulley around the outside of the jib headstay and aft to the tack of the kite. 22. Pull up the mainsail; it is best to tie a Only pull on the Cunningham when you bowline to the head of the mainsail to pull are overpowered. 19. Next you should lead the end of the evenly off the top of the sail, keep the loop spinnaker halyard that comes out of the short and leave a bit of tail on the knot to Trim the mainsail with more twist than chute launcher under the foot of the kite make sure it does not come untied. Pull a lower roached mainsail, the larger roach up through the lower belly patch grommet, the main all the way up until the sail stops mainsail likes a bit more twist, watch the leech telltales, keep them flowing.

RIG CHART Going fast upwind requires only Wind Speed 0-10 knots 6-12 knts 10-18 knts 15-25 knts trimming the mainsail properly and trimming the jib properly with the correct Shroud Loosen 2 full turns Tighten 6 full Base Base lead. Do not over-tension the boomvang or tension from Base turns from base the Cunningham. Mast rake Base Base Base mark Base mark If possible the helmperson should help Loosen 3 full turns Lower No sag, lowers Tighten lowers 4 either drop the board or raise the board. 1/2” of sag at No Sag Shrouds will be snug turns spreader If the waves are big, keep the boat flat, 4 holes showing Jib Lead 4 holes showing 3-4 holes showing 3-4 holes showing keep the jib leads forward and try a soft jib behind car sheet tension.

Always pull the wrinkles out of the jib kite tight on the port side and gybe into it TENSION GAUGE CONVERSION luff. and retract it. CHART Over the past few year Loos Co. has Downwind, sail with pressure, but don’t Skipper may have to tail the halyard introduced it's new style PT-1, 2 and 3 sail too high in the medium stuff. In light down to help prevent the kite from professional tension gauges to the market. air, sail with weight to leeward, and the dropping in the water. Speed on the Since many of us are replacing our older apparent wind forward. In medium breeze retraction line is key. model A and B gauges with these new sail with pressure and weight in and try models we are posting the following to get low on the course. In the bigger When gybing, get the board down and conversion chart for your convenience. breeze hike hard and sail with pressure go right into it, trimming the kite thru on and the mainsail in. the gybe as quickly as possible MODEL A MODEL PT-1 3/32 1/8 5/32 Raise the leeward board 8”-10” on the Practice all take downs, leeward and 5 6 control line downwind in a breeze over 8 windward. Both take downs will require 10 9 15 12 14 knots. Keep it all the way down in light air. bearing away to unload the kite to more 20 16 16 easily pull it in. 25 20 19 Furl the jib after the kite is up 28 23 21 In very heavy air, keep the main trimmed 30 22 35 27 25 Unfurl the jib before you take the kite in to help support the rig and to go really 38 30 28 down, the headstay will have more sag in fast. 40 33 30 it when you are unfurling the jib, uncleat 42 33 the furler line and pull on the jib sheet a If you ever have rudder stalling 44 36 bit to get the jib to unfurl, do not force it, problems in heavy air, at very high speeds, 45 38 46 39 let the wind blow the jib out if possible so raise the board slightly. 47 40 as not to damage the jib while unfurling. Keeping the front of the boat organized: Model B Model PT-2 PT-3 Take out all of the slack of the kite Try leading the spinnaker halyard over the retraction line before you uncleat the top of the boom or through a caribbeaner 3/16 7/32 1/4 9/32 10 11 halyard. attached to the boom vang bail on the 15 13 boom. Also, leading the board up line 18 15 On a windward take down, trim the through a caribbeaner on the forward 20 16 18 windward sheet and clew around to the mainsheet bail works well to keep the 22 18 20 port side of the boat and strap the foot, board line clean and easy to grab. 24 19 22 26 21 24 hand the sheet to the skipper and retract 28 23 25 the kite. The MELGES 17 is a brand new, 30 25 27 25 fast, exciting boat to sail. The above 32 27 29 27 On a leeward drop, which is the hardest information is what we have learned so far 34 29 31 29 33 31 drop to do safely, you need to head about the boat. These are generalizations 36 33 6 straight down wind, strap the foot of the and will be a good starting point. It is 37 36 7 kite on the port side of the boat, heel the good to experiment outside the range of 37 9 boat to windward(skipper and crew) and these numbers slightly to see what works 10 retract the kite while keeping the boat best for your team. 11 12 heeled to windward. 14 Be sure to take good notes so you can 16 The Mexican takedown is the same as reference back to fast settings. 18 the other take downs, you simply trim the Sail Fast and have a Blast! 20 25

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