Europe Tuning Guide

Matching the Mast, Sail and Crew Weight

Success in the Europe Class depends on a well matched crew, mast and sail. The reputable suppliers in the class can all give good advice on this but be careful when buying secondhand. A mast that is good for a 65kg sailor can suddenly change to one suitable for a 55kg sailor if the seller is desperate enough. Buying matched masts and sails from someone your own weight is a good idea.

Mast Rake

Mast Rake is one of the most important controls in a Europe. Rake is measured from the halyard shackle in the locked up position to the centre outside top corner of the transom. Measure and record your rake before and after sailing every day. There is no fixed 'magic' mast rake as the length of the leech on different sails varies significantly. As a guide you might start with the following numbers (mm):

Sail Design Light Airs         Medium Heavy Airs

Green 'Big Top' 5380mm 5400mm 5380mm

Toni Tio 5460mm 5480mm 5480mm

For other sails, try starting with the boom 15-20cm above the transom with the sail hoisted. You need to sail with the mast further back in light winds and move it forward as the breeze increases. Some people find it pays to move it back again slightly as it becomes very windy.

Once the wind is above seven knots you should have the boom down on the deck; mast rake is then your primary leech tension control. Moving the mast forward helps you point but hurts your speed. Moving back helps you go faster but at the expense of height. As you are not allowed to adjust the rake during a race it is important to set up on a rake that gives you some flexibility.

Sail Trim

Upwind

In all but the lightest winds it is essential to get the boom down on the deck and keep it there. In light winds try to get the boom as far down as possible without stalling the sail. If you stall, you will have to ease the sheet to get the air flowing and then progressively pull the boom down again.

The cunningham and outhaul control the leech shape. The outhaul opens the lower leech and the cunningham opens up the top. The cunningham can be used to great effect to control power, though remember as you pull it on pointing will suffer. In light and medium conditions pull on just enough cunningham to take out the big wrinkles - small creases up the luff don't seem to hurt. When it gets really windy you may need to pull the cunningham right down to the boom. The outhaul follows a similar pattern, though you will need some tension even in light conditions in order to get the boat to point.

Both the cunningham and the outhaul are best used in conjunction with the traveller. As you pull the traveller up for more height, you will need to open the leech if the sail is not to get too closed. Conversely as you let the boom down for speed you will need to ease the outhaul and cunningham to generate more power. In medium conditions it is usual to sail with the boom 3-4cm in from the 'corner' (where the transom meets the gunwhale). In light conditions you may be able to pull it up more though in very light winds it is sometimes best to ease the boom right out for speed. Similarly in very windy conditions the traveller may be right down at the end of the track with the boom 10cm or more outside the corner.

In addition to the usual kicker, cunningham and outhaul, the Europe has one additional sail control, the inhaul. In general the inhaul is left slack or slightly tensioned in most conditions. Only when there is need for power through the waves should you pull it on, to provide a more rounded entry to the sail.

The kicker is not used at all sailing upwind though it does help through the tacks if there is some tension. Be careful not to pull too much on though or you will not be able to get under the boom when you tack.

Downwind

Kicker tension is the most important control downwind. In general the outhaul, inhaul and cunningham are let right off and the shape of the sail is controlled with the sheet and the kicker. Leech and luff woollies help with setting the kicker tension. You should aim to have the ribbon on the top batten flowing 50% of the time with both the top and bottom leeward woollies on the front of the sail breaking most of the time. A woolly in the middle of the sail is useful when trimming downwind - both the windward and leeward tufts should be streaming most of the time.

Centreboard Position

Going upwind, centreboard position becomes a very important power control.

In light winds it needs to be right down and vertical in the case. Most sails require the board to be fully forward in the case in light winds but if you have a very short leech it may be necessary to move the board back (but still vertical) to keep the boat balanced. As the wind increases the board is progressively raked back. Once the board is raked fully back, the only way to reduce power is to start lifting the board. In very windy conditions the top of the board may be just above the level of the foredeck.

Running, it pays to get the board well up, though if you lift it too high the boat becomes very unstable. Keep enough board in the water to prevent the boat from rolling - and don't forget to push it down before gybing.

Happy sailing!

Shirley Robertson