Snipe Quick Tuning Guides

This is our "quick set up guide". These are the essential numbers which will allow you to get the most from your Quantum Snipe sails. We have a more detailed 24 page Tuning Guide in a booklet form that is included with our sails. This guide has continually evolved and is updated regularly. Please call, write or E-mail us for more information.

Boat Layout

The boat layout must reflect the job responsibilities of skipper and crew. Adjustment placement must also reflect when adjustments are used. The adjustments near the rail must be only those used when hiking, as too many in this area make quick adjustments difficult. Use of minimum diameter line with a polypropylene cover will minimize friction and weight when wet. Also, cutting the lines to the minimum length possible will reduce weight and clutter.

Rig Tuning

Spreader Length - The length of the spreader controls sidebend, where the goal is for the mast to be straight from the deck to the hounds. The prescribed range is 16 3/8"-16 5/8" (41.6-42.2 cm). Spreaders that are too long will push the middle of the mast to leeward while spreaders that are too short allow the middle of the mast to pop to windward. Spreader Angle - The angle of the spreader affects how much the mast will bend in moderate to heavy air. A large angle measurement will stiffen the mast while a small number will allow the mast to bend more. The prescribed range is 28"-30 1/2" (71.1-77.5 cm).

Shrouds/Location - The prescribed range for the shroud placement on the deck is 70"-72" (177.8-183 cm) aft of the stem and as far outboard as possible. This placement is measured along the boat's centerline and taken perpendicularly to the side.

Shrouds - Use the fore puller to pull the mast forward against the shrouds. The shrouds should be barely tight and the mast near straight. Raise a tape measure on the main halyard until the halyard is locked. Take the tape measure to the stern and measure from the top of the mast to the intersection of the aft deck (center) and the stern of the boat. Adjust your shroud tension until you are within the measurement range of 20’ 11" - 21’2" (637.5-645.1 cm) .

Mast Rake - Adjust the jib halyard until you are within the measurement range of 21’ 3 3/4" - 21’ 6" (649.6 - 655.3 cm), with a good median setting being between 21' 4"- 21' 5". This will be your upwind halyard setting.

Prebend/Rig Tension - Utilizing a Loos Tension Gauge will allow you to check the pressure on your shrouds. The pressure range is 170-230 pounds, but look at 190 pounds as a starting point for light/moderate air with higher loads appropriate for stronger winds.

Mainsail Trim

Main Cunningham - Adjust upwind to keep the luff wrinkles in the bottom half of the sail (the sail should be fairly smooth in the top half). Once you are overpowered start pulling on the cunningham tighter than what the above rule states. Ease completely for all offwind sailing.

Outhaul- The Quantum main is constructed with a shelf foot to give the bottom third of our main the broadest range of shapes possible. Adjust upwind to place the clew approximately 1 1/4" (3.2 cm) from the band to offer sufficient fullness in light air and/or lumpy conditions. For higher winds or smooth water the outhaul must be tightened, with the clew reaching the band by roughly 10 knots and higher. Ease for all offwind sailing so the shelf just completely opens.

Mainsheet - The rule for upwind sailing is to trim the mainsheet so the top batten is either parallel with the boom or just hooking to weather of the boom. In lighter air the weight of the boom will prevent the top batten from opening. When this occurs ease the main out so the top batten is parallel to the centerline of the boat. Ease the mainsheet when reaching so the sail is on the verge of luffing. For downwind, ease until the boom is barely resting against the shroud.

Fore/Aft Mast Puller - With the mast at the upwind setting, place a mark on the mast and a corresponding mark on the deck. This is your prebend mark. Next place a mark 3 /4" (19 mm) in front of the prebend mark and a mark 1/2" (13 mm) be hind the prebend mark. For upwind pull the fore puller to the front deck mark when the wind is too light for the top batten to twist open to an angle parallel with the boom. As the wind builds the mast will naturally bend more, but you may want to restrict it with the aft puller to hold onto mainsail power. To depower you will be gradually tightening the boomvang (see boomvang section) while easing the aft puller (stop at the forward mark). For non-pole reaching, bring the mast back to the aft mark and for pole reaching and running place the mast between the aft and prebend mark.

Boomvang - The boomvang is used upwind in conjunction with the aft puller for medium to heavy wind. As the wind strengthens, increasing vang tension (and decreasing aft puller) will help flatten the main while controlling jib luff sag. When reaching adjust the vang so the top batten is parallel to the boom. When running the top batten should be either parallel or twisted off.

Traveler - The traveler is an upwind only adjustment that shall be kept centered until all other mainsail adjustments are well into their heavy air positions. Begin by easing the traveler 2" (5 cm) to help keep the boat flat. In puffy, overpowering winds a balance between the traveler and the mainsheet must be found.

Jib Trim

Jib Leads - The leads should be set so the jib sheet lines up as an extension of the trim line drawn on the clew.

Jibsheet - Trim the jib upwind so the foot will come down to the splash rail anywhere between 16"-18" (40-46 cm) off centerline. This is the vertical plane of the jib, not the very edge of the foot. Reaching trim should have the sail eased until the luff is on the verge of luffing. Pole trim should have the jibsheet adjusted so the leech is on the verge of collapsing when reaching and the foot is just taught when running.

Jib Cunningham - The upwind rule is to trim it so as to have only slight wrinkles coming out of the bottom half of the luff when sailing upwind. As the wind increases, this adjustment must be tightened to maintain our rule. For offwind trim the jib cunningham is completely eased.

Jib Halyard - Pull the halyard to your upwind setting when sailing to windward. When non-pole reaching either leave the halyard at the upwind setting or ease 1". For tight pole reaching leave the halyard at the upwind setting and gradually ease it as the wind swings further aft.

This performance guide was produced by Quantum San Diego:

Quantum San Diego
2832 Canon St.
San Diego, CA 92106
619-226-2422 (p) 619-226-0682 (f)