Ward's Best Practices for 
Narrasketuck 180/Tuning Guide 3/02
Centerboard, Rudder
and Skeg
Is there slop in the centerboard trunk?
Do you need all those adjustment holes in the side of the centerboard?
Does it go straight up and down, or is it warped?
Are the centerboard and skeg in line?
Are the foils smooth and fair?
How is the centerboard travel, does it reach maximum dept without exposing the top notch? (Marking the board with a pencil best performs this test, with the boat is in the water.)
Is the rudderpost and steering head tight?
Controls
Is everything labeled clearly?
Is the layout somewhat efficient?
Can a new crewmember quickly and easily find what's where?
Can the crew slip their toes under the hiking straps without having to lean inboard? (Usually at the worst possible moment in time.)
Are the straps adjustable and are they properly set for the crew de jour?
Hull
Is it smooth and fair?
Are the flotation tanks adequately tabbed in?
How is the condition of the hull to deck joint?
Are the side decks (seats) adequately tied down?
Go Sailing (Pref. 5-10 KTS of wind)
Jib Stay Tuning
First make sure the mast is in the middle of the boat (side to side). Then check the balance of the boat (fore and aft position of the mast). With average jib stay tension at 2" of sag, in its usual 5-10 KT location. Rudder pressure (weather helm) should be minimum. If it's not, try pulling the jib stay forward. Note, you must ease the runners and this will also lift the aft end of the boom, too much of that is bad.
If this doesn't work, try moving the mast base forward (sails down and the boat at the dock) re-secure and repeat the procedure until desired result is achieved. "The boat should round up only under extreme conditions."
As the wind picks up the CE of the sail plan moves aft, thereby neccesating the jib stay being pulled further forward. Eventually with the boat balanced, one geta a feel for the range of jib stay location adjustment (about 1 ?"). Be sure to mark these settings so they may be duplicated and adjusted for the day's conditions.
Straight Downwind
Rig Tuning (Boat on land)
Again check mast position side to side. Ease runners and lowers so the head stay can bend the mast forward with the mast on center and even tension being shared by all stays. Take special note. That when sailing in this position the vang must be eased enough so as to not put too much tension on the vang track, or leech of the main (the worst result could be a broken boom). Be sure to mark all these settings.
Straight Downwind Rig Tuning (Boat on land)
Hull Tuning
Any time there is something moving or flexing that shouldn't it can be considered a wasted motion one that could be better used to propel the boat forward. Particular things to look for:Vang track staying down
Side decks staying down
Bottom flexing
Deck around the mast staying put
Feel and listen for CB slop
Rudder slop
Hull twist
Straight Downwind Rig Tuning (Boat on land)
In General
This is written to describe how Narrasketuck 180 is tuned. This tuning was derived to optimize the various performance and operation modes used while racing; particularly upwind in slop and straight down wind.
The Narrasketuck is a very different racing yacht in that most rules of thumb for conventional FRACS don't apply.
Even though the entire boat may be viewed as a system it is best to allow plenty of sailing (not racing) time to try one modification at a time and see the range of conditions that modification may work under. In fact, there is no substitute for spending time sailing your boat with the same crew. Setup early for the regatta if you can, maybe you can go sailing on a weeknight. Enjoy sailing, and not just racing. Take your Tuck clamming (mine loves it), treat it well.
A spiritual cleansing by burning sage around your boat and let the smoke purify her. It will remove any bad vibes from previous owners or a bad season.
Very few of these tips are original (especially the last one). The majority are a synthesis of shared experience to which I owe extreme gratitude to those who came before.
Thank you.
Please don't hesitate to ask us for tips. We all want to be helpful.
Happy Sailing, See Ya on the Bay.
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