Scorpion Tuning Guide by Sailboats Speedsails

Some time should be spent in setting up the Scorpion to ensure the rig is correctly calibrated and everything clearly marked. Doing this will make sailing the boat fast through the changing wind strengths a much easier task.

Spreader Settings

Spreader length (L) controls the sideways stiffness of the mast and is taken by measuring the side wall of the mast to the shroud. The deflection (D) is measured by putting a straight edge from shroud to shroud and then measuring to the mast from this edge.

Setting	Measurement
Spreader Length (L)	360mm
Spreader Deflection (D)	160mm (1986 boats: 170mm, P&B: 165mm)

Pre-Bend

This setting is the most important and so time should be spent getting this correct. Pre-bend is controlled by angling the spreader tips forward or aft. We recommend sailing with a pre-bend of 20mm. To measure this, set the mast rake at 22' 2" with rig tension of 250lbs. Pull the main halyard tight against the top of the gooseneck — the distance between the halyard and the mast at spreader height is the pre-bend.

Settings Guide

For the rest of this guide we refer to settings 1–4.

Setting	Conditions	Rig Tension	Mast Rake
1	Drifting conditions up to helm & crew sitting on the side deck	350lbs	22' 8"
2	Helm & crew sitting on the side up to both sitting out hard with mainsail still on the centre line	350lbs	22' 2"
3	Full power up to constantly overpowered (spilling the main to de-power)	400lbs	21' 10"
4	Constantly overpowered to racing abandoned	400lbs	21' 6"

Mast rake is measured from the top of the mast to the inside bottom of the transom. Hoist the jib with the appropriate tension. Shackle a long measuring tape to the main halyard and measure 18' 1" to the top of the black band at the gooseneck. Cleat and measure to the bottom of the transom inside the boat.

Jib Sheeting

The position of the jib fairleads affects the tension in the foot and leech of the jib. Moving the fairleads aft increases tension in the foot and allows the upper leech to open. Moving them forward decreases foot tension and closes the upper leech.

Setting	Fairlead / Jib Sheet Setting
1	Set pulley so the jib sheet bisects the clew at ~45°. Keep the top of the jib quite open — top tell-tale on the inside should just lift before the bottom ones.
2	Keep the jib sheets bisecting the clew at 45°. Due to extra rake you may need to move the fairleads forward slightly. Sheet using the top tell-tale as the guide for correct tension (top tell-tale just lifting).
3	Move the fairleads further forward as needed to maintain the same sheeting angle.
4	Move the fairlead back to open the upper leech and prevent the slot getting choked. Ease the sheet slightly if the mainsail is backing.

Kicker

In light winds only put on enough kicker to remove the slack from the system. Once overpowered and having to ease the main, aim to have the top leech telltale on the main flying approximately 80% of the time. In the Scorpion it is important not to use too much kicker as there is very little support for the bottom of the mast — look for diagonal creases from the spreaders to the clew of the main as a sign of too much bend. When sailing downwind aim to have the leech telltale flying continuously.

Outhaul

Point of Sail / Conditions	Outhaul Setting
Upwind (all conditions)	Kept on tight
Upwind – light and choppy	Eased ~1" to give more power through the chop
Downwind / broad reaching	Eased 2–3" to give more power to the base of the sail

Cunningham

This should only be used in very windy weather to de-power the main. It should be the first thing let off when the wind drops.

Flattener

This should only be used when on maximum rake and it is very windy so you are struggling to get under the boom.

Jib Cunningham

This should be set to just remove the creases from the front of the jib. It will require more tension as the breeze increases.

Centreboard

Conditions	Centreboard Position
Very light wind	Angled forwards slightly
Both crew on the side	Move to vertical
Seriously overpowered	Raise up to a maximum of 3" to help stop the boat tripping over itself

Spinnaker

The spinnaker pole should be set so that the clews are at the same level as you are reaching along. We generally tie the head of the spinnaker so that it flies a couple of inches from the block in the mast. In a very light breeze when it is difficult to get the kite to fill, dropping the pole height will encourage the sail to fly again.