Melges 24 Tuning Guide and Basic setup

image by Copyright 2005 Tim Wilkes

1. QUICK SET UP GUIDE

1. Rig Tuning

Shrouds - Adjust the shrouds and jib halyard until the mast tip is at 36' 6 5/8” from the bottom of the transom with 16 units of upper shroud tension on the Loos gauge. Lowers should be 2 fingers less than 0 on the Loos gauge for starters. You want the leeward upper just going loose. From this initial setting you will need to tighten both lower and upper as the wind increases and loosen some in lighter wind.

2. Mainsail Trim

Mainsheet/Traveler - The aft foot of the top batten should line up with the boom in most conditions. The boom should be on centerline in light to medium and below this in strong wind.

Outhaul - The main should be pulled to the band in wind above 10 knots. In lighter air, ease 1" (25mm) or a little more in very choppy conditions. Off the wind, ease to add fullness.

Boom vang - The vang should be set when reaching and running so the aft foot of the top batten is in line with the boom. Use the vang upwind to add mast bend and control the draft in the lower third of the main.

3. Jib Trim

Jib Shape - In light to medium conditions the leech should trim to a mark on the spreaders, 19" out from the side of the mast with just a little shape in the foot. In strong winds you need more twist.

Jib lead fore and aft - The lead usually ends up on the 3rd screw head from the back of the track.You must drill out your screw head for this. In very light winds we are 2 holes forward of this and in conditions under 10 knots we are one hole forward of the srew head. Drill out your track so you have these adjustments between the factory holes.

Jib tack - Just pull out the wrinkles and no more.

4. Spinnaker Trim

Setup- Tie both sheets on the clew making sure that they are on the outside of everything. Hook up the halyard. For inside jibes, tie the tack line over the lazy sheet. For outside, lead it under the sheet.

Setting- Launch the pole, open the bag, pre-feed the tack, bear off, hoist, and then trim the sheet.

Trimming the Chute - Sail to optimize VMG rather than trying to point at the mark. As the boat speed goes up, you can bear off. When the boat slows you head up. Keep the apparent wind at around 90 degrees.

Jibing- Sail the boat through the jibe at a constant speed and pull the sail around. Be sure that the old sheet is clear to run. You may want to turn off the ratchet to get the old sheet to run faster. In light air make sure there is enough pressure on the chute to allow the clew to

run freely when the sheet is released, otherwise the chute will wrap on the headstay. Easing the backstay and roll jibing will prevent the main from hooking on the backstay.

Take down- Unfurl the jib. The helmsman should then bear off to unload the sail. The crew should grab the clew, release the tack line, and pull in the chute while the halyard is let off. (see windward take down) Retract the pole.

5. Backstay

Upwind- In light air no backstay is used. In medium wind and flat water the backstay should be on a little. As you get overpowered then start to pull on the backstay harder. You need to put on the backstay very hard in strong wind.
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