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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:39 am 
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Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:32 pm
Posts: 3
I got my Trifoiler up on the foils for the first time a few weeks ago. What a rush!

I had trouble turning upwind though. First, to get foil born, I would turn the boat to set the point of sail at about 110 degrees, then start to sheet in. I would get foil born, then I would start to bear upwind and try to sheet in some. It was so difficult to sheet in that I couldn't. By the time I reached a point of sail of about 80 or 70 degrees, I would drop of the foils.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way to do this? Is there something wrong with my main sheet pulley system?
Scott


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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 12:46 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:29 pm
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Location: High Point, NC
I haven't sailed mine yet so I may be all wet, but I've noticed something when watching others sail their Trifoilers on Youtube videos.

Just before the pilot starts the tack, he quickly bears away a few degrees, then reverses and proceeds through the tack. Bearing away increases his speed and provides a little extra momentum to carry him through the tack without dropping off the foils.

If you try it, let me know. Thanks.


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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 2:43 pm 
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Tom,
This is an important observation, and it makes sense to do this to enable staying on the foils while turning through the dead zone. However, the polar chart for the Trifoiler shows one can stay on the foils with point-of-sail angles of between 35 to 40 degrees, in a steady state condition. I was dropping of the foils at 80 degrees. I still there's still something wrong with my main sheet system or the way I'm sailing.
Scott

See the below URL for the polar chart.
http://www.trifoiler.info/media/index.p ... l_Articles


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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 10:14 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:58 pm
Posts: 46
Location: Hobie Cat Factory
Scott. Let's see if we can break down the different questions you have. First, check the main sheet system for twists in the block or bungee leading up to the bow. Lightly pull up on the traveler line to keep some tension on it, with your other hand pull the main sheet back and cleat it with each hand full, you should be able to suck up all the traveler line. If the mainsheet gets bound up or is not free, look up front under the bow and check for a tangle.

The next issue concerning getting foil born, I start out at 70 degrees off the eye of the wind with the sail link 2 feet off center, as the boat picks up speed you should be able to pull in the sails all the way, meanwhile you will be turning the boat up and down wind hunting for the best angle to the wind. Let out the sensor lines to keep them just above the surface.

To tack the boat at any speed, merely turn the boat up wind with the sheets in tight. Once you have crossed the eye of the wind you should let out the sails out about 1 foot off center line and reach down to the windward mast rotator line and give it a pull to rotate the masts. You will never be able to complete a tack on the foils. Therefore, plan to start over and follow the steps above with possibly using the sensors and travel out off center to the two foot mark again. Jibing is always more fun and quicker.

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Dan Ketterman
I am here to assist TriFoiler owners maintain their boat and answer technical questions.


Last edited by TriFoiler guy on Wed May 15, 2013 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 8:43 am 
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Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:32 pm
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Dan,
Thanks for the reply info. Will check main sheet system and try out the launch method this weekend. Will post back next week.
Scott


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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 11:15 am 
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Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 1:12 pm
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I always just gybe - its way faster and you stay on the foils - = More Fun!!!

Why tack??... it's all about speed!!!!

I can't wait to sail Ketterman's Trifoiler again, hopefully real soon - it's getting to be perfect Long Beach season!!

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany


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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2013 11:26 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:29 pm
Posts: 2763
Location: High Point, NC
That does make a lot of sense - just turn a full circle and head off to the opposite side. I'll be sure to remember this.


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