Enterprise Tuning Guide by Sailboats Speedsails

The Enterprise is a relatively simple boat and most boats in the fleet have very similar boat speed. Consequently any little edge in speed requires quite a lot of attention to small details. The aim of this guide is to enable you to set your boat up very close to the ideal settings so that you can be immediately 'on the pace'.

Spreader Settings

There are two measurements for spreaders: Spreader Length (L) and Spreader Deflection (D). Spreader Length affects the sideways stiffness of the mast and is taken by measuring the side wall of the mast to the shroud. Spreader Deflection controls the pre-bend in the mast and is measured by putting a straight edge from shroud to shroud and then measuring to the mast from this edge.

Setting	Superspar	Proctor
Spreader Length (L)	410mm	420mm
Spreader Deflection (D)	171mm	171mm

Rig Tension

Rig tension is measured on the shroud. Try to use the same tension gauge each time and measure at the same height e.g. eye level. We sail with 400lbs in all conditions. Minor adjustments to the tension can be made by using a small chain plate on the end of the jib halyard instead of a shackle. Moving the pin up (decreasing the halyard length) will increase the tension slightly.

Mast Rake

Mast rake is measured from the top of the mast to the top of the transom. It will vary slightly between boats but we sail with a rake in the range of 21' 1½" – 21' 2". To do this hoist the jib with 400lbs tension and then shackle a long measuring tape to the main halyard. Measure 18' 6" to the top of the black band at the gooseneck. Cleat the main halyard and measure to the transom. The half hole adjustments on the shroud chain plates change the mast rake by approximately ½ inch.

Pre-Bend

When you have the tension and rake set correctly, the final check to be made is the pre-bend. Pre-bend is controlled by angling the spreader tips forward and aft. We sail with a pre-bend of 1 inch which is measured by pulling the main halyard tight against the mast at the gooseneck. The distance between the halyard and the mast at spreader level is the pre-bend. The pre-bend can be adjusted without affecting your mast rake and tension settings.

Jib Sheeting

In medium and heavy airs the jib is pulled in as tightly as possible. A crease will appear across the foot of the jib. In very heavy winds the helm may need to help the crew to pull the jib in bar tight after each tack. In lighter breezes when the crew is no longer sitting on the side deck the jib should be eased ¼ inch. When the crew sits to leeward the jib should be eased ½ inch from tightly-in.

Jib Fairleads

These should initially be set so that if you follow the sheeting angle through the jib clew it will bisect the angle formed by the leech and foot.

Conditions	Fairlead Position
Below 8 knots	Move forward one hole
Normal	Standard / bisect leech–foot angle
Above 15 knots	Move back one hole — increases foot tension, frees upper leech

Jib Sticks

We carry 2 jib sticks: a running jib stick (maximum length, used for goose-winging to present maximum sail area to the wind) and a reaching jib stick (minimum length, used when the jib is to leeward). When sailing with the reaching stick the jib should be over-trimmed so that the bottom leeward telltale is lifting.

Mainsail

The mainsail should only be hoisted to the bottom of the black band. Below 10 knots the mainsail should be ½ inch below the black band (dropped one notch on the halyard rack).

Kicking Strap

This is the most critical control when racing. In very light winds you should just take the slack out of the kicker when sailing upwind. As the wind increases aim to have the top leech telltale on the main flying approximately 80% of the time. Above 15 knots the telltale will fly continuously and the kicking strap becomes a power control. When sailing downwind aim to have the leech telltale flying continuously.

Cunningham

The cunningham is only used in an Enterprise when sailing upwind in 15 knots and above. In these conditions it can be used to remove some of the creases appearing on the main luff. Do not remove the creases completely and do not use the cunningham downwind. The cunningham should never be pulled on bar tight.

Outhaul

Point of Sail / Conditions	Outhaul Setting
Upwind (all conditions)	Pulled out to the black band
Upwind – drifting	Eased ¼ inch
Reaches	Eased 1½ – 2 inches
Run	Eased ½ inch only