TOPPER SPEED So your boat is fully prepared and you are ready to use your new controls. New controls? – what controls have you got to make your Topper go faster and perhaps more to the point what do they control?

	Controls:
Mainsheet	the angle of the sail to the hull
Traveller	the position of the mainsheet block across the back of the boat
Kicker	the bend the mast and therefore the fullness of the sail
Outhaul	the depth of the sail especially in the lower third
Downhaul	O the position of the maximum depth of the sail O the bend of the mast O the openness of the leach
Daggerboard	the drag downwind and the leeward slip upwind

Not many controls then. No rig tension, no mast rake, no jib sheeting angles. You can concentrate on getting the few controls right and quickly begin to enjoy learning to race other boats. More complicated classes will have many more controls to master before they can get down to the fun!

SETTINGS. Develop your sense of speed and adjust controls around these suggested start points:

O ..medium winds and flat water: (hiking fully and not overpowered)..

control	upwind	downwind
Mainsheet:	75mm from block to block	90+from centre-line & run by lee
Traveller	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’
Kicker	Bend the boom	Eased – leach just able to flick open
Outhaul	Finger length from boom	Finger length from boom
Downhaul	Off	Off
Daggerboard	down	1/2 up – to prevent skidding.
Balance	Almost flat	Healed to windward - neutral helm
Trim	As far forward as possible	As far forward as possible

O ..medium winds and waves: (waves tending to upset the boat upwind).

control	upwind	downwind
Mainsheet:	75mm from block to block	90 – play the waves
Traveller	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’
Kicker	Bend the boom	Off – leach just be able to flick
Outhaul	Slightly looser than flat water	Slightly tighter than flat water
Downhaul	Take out all the creases	off
Daggerboard	down	Level with foredeck to help turning.
Balance	Slight heal to leeward	Healed to windward - neutral helm
Trim	250mm back from flat water	Forward and back-ride the waves

O ..Over powered: (fully hiking and letting mainsheet out upwind)..

control	upwind	downwind
Mainsheet:	As above – let off in gusts	As far out as you dare. 80 max
Traveller	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’
Kicker	Bend the boom even more	As much off as you feel safe with!
Outhaul	Horizontal crease in foot.	Horizontal crease in foot.
Downhaul	Tack of sail 50mm from boom	Off
Daggerboard	Top, level with the foredeck	Top, level with the foredeck

Balance	Flat	Healed to windward - neutral helm
Trim	250mm back from light winds	Well back- prevent nosedive

O ..Looking for more power..

control	upwind	downwind
Mainsheet:	300mm off block to block	90+ and by the lee
Traveller	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’	As tight as possible - ‘twangy!’
Kicker	New sail?- bend the boom	Off until leach starts to flick
Outhaul	Width of wrist	Length of hand
Downhaul	Off – push the sail up the mast	Off – push sail up the mast
Daggerboard	Down	½ to ¾ up. ½ when gybing
Balance	Very slightly healed to leeward	Healed to windward - neutral helm
Trim	Forward	Forward-stern out of water

O ..Looking for any power at all! (very little wind)..

control	upwind	downwind
Mainsheet:	300mm off block to block	90+ and by the lee
Traveller	Just allow shackle to cross tiller	Just allow shackle to cross tiller
Kicker	New sail? – bend the boom	Until leach starts to flick
Outhaul	Reasonably tight- finger length	Reasonably tight-finger length
Downhaul	Off – push the sail up the mast	Off – push the sail up the mast
Daggerboard	down	½ to ¾ up. ½ when gybing
Balance	Leeward heal- reduces friction	Well healed to leeward
Trim	Up to bulkhead/on the deck	Up to bulkhead/on the deck

O Many experienced helms talk about getting feedback from the tiller extension. Grip it loosely and it will tell you things. Make a change to a setting and feel the effect.

O These settings are only start points – make your own mind up.

Further advice needed? Feel free to phone: 01243 379444

Written by: David Cockerill

*TOPPER SPEED* So your boat is fully prepared and you are ready to use your new controls. New controls? – what controls have you got to make your Topper go faster and perhaps more to the point what do they control?

Horizontal crease in foot.

TOPPER SPEED So your boat is fully prepared and you are ready to use your new controls. New controls? – what controls have you got to make your Topper go faster and perhaps more to the point what do they control?