Using the Merlin Rocket rig

							MERLIN ROCKET RACE TRAINING
FACT SHEET 5




                           The Modern Rig



You will all know that one of the really beautiful aspects of sailing a modern Merlin Rocket is the
adjustability we have in our rigs, which enables us to set the mast and sails to the optimum for any
sailing condition, from light winds on flat water, to heavy breeze in a big sea; easy isn’t it!

We have available to us the following adjustable controls:

  ▲ Jib Halyard
  ▲ Shrouds
  ▲ Lowers/ Strut
  ▲ Kicking Strap (Vang)
  ▲ Outhaul
  ▲ Cunningham
  ▲ Mainsheet
  ▲ Mainsheet traveller/ hoop
  ▲ Top batten
  ▲ Spreaders
  ▲ Centreboard
  ▲ Jib sheet
  ▲ Jib sheet cars
  ▲ Jib Cunningham
  ▲
…and we’ll ignore the spinnaker for the moment!

So all we have to do is to get the right balance between each of these at any one time, and we will
be away with the mixer; watch out Whitworth!!

The truth is, of course, that with so many variables, getting it right is far from easy and takes a lot
of practise. What is needed is a set of priorities from which we can work, with the aim of being
close enough to right most of the time, so that we can concentrate more on going the right way.

Control            Function/ Effect                    X/10    Critical times to adjust       Y/10
Jib Halyard        Determines mast rake,               10      When under/ over               10
                   supports jib luff.                          powered; when looking for
                                                               weather helm.
Shrouds            Determine mast bend.                10      When altering jib halyard,     8
                                                               and as wind conditions
                                                               increase or decrease.
Spreaders          Determine mast bend fore and        10      When setting up a new          7
                   aft, and sideways. Control                  mast or a new mainsail.
                   middle section of the mainsail.
Control            Function/ Effect                    X/10   Critical times to adjust         Y/10
Lowers             Counteract vang tension,            5-10   When altering jib halyard;       10
                   prevent sideways bend of the               when adjusting vang
                   mast at gooseneck level.                   substantially; when leech
                   Moves draft in the middle third            telltales on main will not fly
                   of the sail, influences middle             and everything else looks
                   third of mainsail leech.                   good; when overpowered.
Vang               Controls power in the mainsail      10     As wind pressure varies by       10
                   by regulating upper leech                  small amounts; when
                   tension. Influences pointing.              changing legs of the
                                                              course; when not pointing
                                                              well; when overpowered
                                                              offwind
Outhaul            Determines fullness of              6      When water surface               5
                   mainsail in the lower third                conditions change; when
                   influencing drive in choppy                heading onto a reach in full
                   water, pointing on flat water,             power conditions.
                   and power when reaching.
Cunningham         Pulls fullness of the mainsail      6      Upwind as wind increases         7
                   forward, bends mast and                    if draft in the main is
                   affects twist in the upper                 moving back and boat is
                   middle section of the mainsail             staggering; offwind if
                   leech.                                     overpowered.
Mainsheet          Controls leech tension in light     9      Constantly according to          8
                   to medium airs, and pointing               wind pressure and angle.
                   ability. Off wind in breeze,
                   controls heel.
Main traveller/    Enables boat to point higher        8      When tacking                     8
hoop               by centrelining boom.
Top Batten         Determines fullness of sail in      7      When looking to gain or          5
                   the top section.                           lose power in the head of
                                                              the main.
Centreboard        Transfers sideways forces           8      As mast rake increases; as       6
                   from rig into forward motion.              wind increases; as need
                   Balances the helm against the              for pointing ability
                   rig. Provides something to                 diminishes.
                   stand on when it all goes pear
                   shaped.
Jib sheet          Controls leech tension.             10     As wind pressure varies;         10
                                                              when changing legs of the
                                                              course; when making
                                                              small rake adjustments
Jib sheet cars     Determines slot efficiency.         9      When making major rake           7
                                                              adjustments (with some
                                                              sails).
Jib cunningham     Determines draft position, and      6      As wind pressure and             3
                   entry angle of jib.                        water surface conditions
                                                              change.

X/10 = Importance of getting setting initially right

Y/10 = how critical to adjustment while sailing

GEW
17th October 04