Silver Fox wrote:
I would love some old salts to weigh in on this:
I found that attaching the tack to the lowest hole on the chainplate AND attaching the jib sheet to the lowest (foremost) hole in the clew plate gives me no hang-ups whatsoever. It was a night and day difference when I set it up like this!
Tack should be as low as possible on the forestay chainplate. This changes with varying mast rake settings. The lowest position leaves the ability to sheet the jib tightly. Too low and you go block to block without getting enough tension on the jib.
Clew position changes the sail shape. Low pulls more on the foot and opens up the leech. The higher positions on the clew plate pull down the leech and opens the foot. This also closes up the slot (space) between the jib and main... choking the airflow.
The best position on the clew plate is a balance the leaves the leach with the same shape and to match the shape of the main in the slot. You may have to sail the boat sheet the main and then sheet the jib... and get to the lee side to view the slot under sail. This can be done on the beach carefully... as to not sheet and tip the boat over.