> Ralph comments about the S-4 sailing rig: > This particular sail > rig is prone to capsizes if the boat is lightly loaded and if you are in > areas where sudden gusts can hit you, such as near cliffs and points of > land. When in doubt, let go of all the sheets (lines) if things start > going wrong and you feel a capsize coming on. Slight modification is in order here. If the jib and full S-4 main are set on a stayed mast with the gaff up this is true enough. But the combination of the S-1 main and jib is both efficient and very docile. As Ralph observes elsewhere the jib itself is an entirely suitable working sail. For beginners, leave the leeboards and the big sail at home and use the smaller main and jib for expeditions sailing. Or carry the big main when light winds might be expected and use it only under those conditions. It is a small package. The most critical advice for beginners with the S-4 system is to get a proper control board and label it "jib in" jib out" "mail halyard" "jib halyard". Then invest in quality perlon lines and sailing quality block and tackle. Have an experienced sail-paddler show the beginner how to set up the system and practice in the living room or at the launch until raising and lowering sails is smooth and error free. Then enjoy. A little less sail in the beginning is fun and profitable in terms of effort and is quite predictable. If you don't have the S-1 main then this is a worthwhile investment. Remember the S-4 system has been in use for 40 years or so. It is basic but certainly serviceable. Richard G. Mitchell, Jr. Oregon State University Department of Sociology Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 752-1323 phone/fax mitchelr_at_ucs.orst.edu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Dec 08 1999 - 23:55:21 PST
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