Messages

Jack-
Pictures sailing w/144 at PITCH regatta.  I only beat them once.

I single hand my VX a lot.  Roll up the jib and you are good to 12 upwind.  I also use a RAD main which is smaller.  Good to 15.  You can add a set of reef points to a standard main instead of the RAD.  More important though is adding a main sheet cleat and a 2hp outboard or electric motor.  My cleat is on the boom.   Motoring up to or away from the dock is better control in gusty conditions.  I tried a trapeze but did not like it and took it off.  Off the wind you can fly with the kite up. 

Added two mods to trailer. Side guides and offset mast support. 

Where are you in So Cal?  I'm in Nor Cal, its not that far to travel down.

New link to tuning and weight balance notes from the 2015 VX Nationals champion, M. Eagan. http://vxone.org/na/2015/10/vx-one-tuning-by-marcus-eagan-usa-177-cajun-underwriting/. Definitely worth a look.

That is Jim Caputo's boat #134. The other boat in Seattle is Scott Burbank #144. I will pass the word on to them.
Contact Scott at ssadventure@hotmail.com.

Lots of advice available here.  Less bad things happen when the retrieval line is pulled in quickly.  Ideally the retrieval has to be pulled in faster than the kite is dropping.  This requires the crew to focus on that one task.  Speed comes with practice and technique.  My crew had to work out to improve her speed and endurance.  This also requires the helmsman to keep the boat stable while the crew cranks on the retrieval line. 

Douse from port - Tension the kite halyard hard which will pull the kite patch around the forestay.  Pop the halyard out of the cam cleat and continue to pull the kite down.

Another technique is to drop the kite against the jib (called a mexican).  From starboard, jibe onto port but keep the kite sheeted to starboard.  The kite is back winded against the jib. Stay deep and release sheet and the halyard, pull retrieval line like crazy. 

There a lot of tasks to be sequenced between the crew and helmsman to get a clean drop, round the mark and head upwind.  So it requires practice to smooth out the technique.   Good luck.

The jib sheet system has a ratchet block under the deck.  Does anyone ever set the ratchet on?

Good input
My North kite has leech lines.  I keep them loose.  Any reason to do something different?

Not at this time (?).  Another of my cohorts in SF contacted Brian Bennett directly for his purchase.  He will drive out to the gulf coast to pick it up and return to the west coast.  If you want to go for a check ride, I'm in SF.

I have not found any info on the keel installation either.   
The aluminum keel extrusion is retained in the hull by an aluminum top plate which is secured to the top of the keel by two stainless bolts.  A fiberglass bulb filled with lead is on the bottom of the keel.  Installation of the keel is accomplished with a hoist.  Hoist the hull up 5 ft,  remove the keel top plate,  move the keel under the hull, lower the hull while guiding the keel through the well.  Attach the the top plate.  I skipped a lot detail for the sake of brevity.  When you get your boat I can expand the detail.

The aluminum keel is very strong and I keep finding submerged ground tackle with it which results in damage to the kelp cutter slot on the leading edge.  I do not think a back up keel is required.  The keel support box structure in the hull is very robust.  There are thick plastic blocks adjacent to the leading edge and trailing edge which help absorb force during contact with stationary objects, like planet earth.

In a word, Yes.  I do it regularly.  I'm 63. 

The mast stepping requires some practice to get comfortable with the technique. The mast weighs only 28 lbs but it is long. 
Rigging will take longer by yourself.  I plan an hour to go from driving up with the trailer to ready to launch or hoist.  In public it takes longer because sailors stop by to ask about the boat. 

If you need to install the keel (new boat) or remove the keel for repair, a second person is safer.

See the "tip and techniques section" of this forum for a tuning guide.  The guide may also be on North Sails one design (VX) site.

I am surprised no one has commented.  North has worked hard to update the sail design.  They have had one of their one design consultants at regattas and it has resulted in many tweaks to the design to improve the performance.  I believe they are on ten 6 or 7 now. You can order a "Tournament of Champion sail set" at a significant discount.  Time is quickly running out on this deal. Contact Brian immediately.

I have done that before.  What I noticed was the pole stops short and the kite tack was 3-4" from the end of the pole.   Is there a advantage in having a looser tack?