Welcome to the International Class Association website for the RS Aero. Here you will find all there is to know about the RS Aero including the latest news, how to register your boat, and links to relevant documents.
| Home >> Technical >> RS Aero 5 Sail only on an RS Aero 9 mast |
23/05/2021 17:11:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4680
23/05/2021 16:21:00
Posts: 0
Hi Peter,
Welcome to the RS Aero Class and congratulations on your new RS Aero! Fantastic to hear of RS Aeros on Lake Couchiching, ON, CAN.
The RS Aero 9 can be a more energetic/exciting sail over a certain wind strength at which point the small rigs can be easier to mangage and as fast once you reach a limit.
The reason that a mis-match of mast size and sail size will not work is that the head of the sail will pull out of the sail track as it is unsupported and the angle of the halyard hoisting will not be helping this due to the bendy mast tip. As the sail comes out of the mast track the track can then become damaged and the whole sail bolt rope can become 'un-zipped' from the mast which will leave it difficult for you to return to shore unaided.
Even if you went to the trouble of lashing the head eye to the mast the time and effort to do that would be similar to that of changing rigs. The samller sail on a larger mast will be a very unrewarding sailing experience as the RS Aero 9 lower mast is particularly long and stiff relative to the smaller lower sections, creating a very poor sail shape with the sail controls unable to remedy it.
Marc Jacobi recently posted a video here https://youtu.be/uPhNUuCrlSs of rigging the RS Aero in sub 3 minutes from mast down. That is achievable by anyone with familiarity. Changing rigs adds just 2 minutes to that (two strings and a shackle).
I like to always drop my RS Aero mast for safety when stored as the boat is so very light and can be susceptiple to storms if left with the mast up. I presume you realise that you can drop the mast without untying anything? Just slacken the vang and outhaul right off and lift it out. Overwise be sure to tie her down or leave her behind shelter if you do leave it up.
The RS Aero 9 mast is light enough to lift being carbon and obviously RS Aeros lift it without the sail on it. If you want a really light mast lift you will appreciate how much easier again the RS Aero 7 or especially the RS Aero 5 mast is.
Reply
Welcome to the RS Aero Class and congratulations on your new RS Aero! Fantastic to hear of RS Aeros on Lake Couchiching, ON, CAN.
The RS Aero 9 can be a more energetic/exciting sail over a certain wind strength at which point the small rigs can be easier to mangage and as fast once you reach a limit.
The reason that a mis-match of mast size and sail size will not work is that the head of the sail will pull out of the sail track as it is unsupported and the angle of the halyard hoisting will not be helping this due to the bendy mast tip. As the sail comes out of the mast track the track can then become damaged and the whole sail bolt rope can become 'un-zipped' from the mast which will leave it difficult for you to return to shore unaided.
Even if you went to the trouble of lashing the head eye to the mast the time and effort to do that would be similar to that of changing rigs. The samller sail on a larger mast will be a very unrewarding sailing experience as the RS Aero 9 lower mast is particularly long and stiff relative to the smaller lower sections, creating a very poor sail shape with the sail controls unable to remedy it.
Marc Jacobi recently posted a video here https://youtu.be/uPhNUuCrlSs of rigging the RS Aero in sub 3 minutes from mast down. That is achievable by anyone with familiarity. Changing rigs adds just 2 minutes to that (two strings and a shackle).
I like to always drop my RS Aero mast for safety when stored as the boat is so very light and can be susceptiple to storms if left with the mast up. I presume you realise that you can drop the mast without untying anything? Just slacken the vang and outhaul right off and lift it out. Overwise be sure to tie her down or leave her behind shelter if you do leave it up.
The RS Aero 9 mast is light enough to lift being carbon and obviously RS Aeros lift it without the sail on it. If you want a really light mast lift you will appreciate how much easier again the RS Aero 7 or especially the RS Aero 5 mast is.
Reply
21/05/2021 23:29:00
Peter Barton
Posts: 4680
21/05/2021 23:20:00
Posts: 0
I Peter i'm sorry but you can't
You need to buy the mast lower part
Probally a 7 sail should be better!
Reply
You need to buy the mast lower part
Probally a 7 sail should be better!
Reply
21/05/2021 21:35:00
Aerobasol
Posts: 27
I am the proud owner of a new Aero 9 having just experienced our maiden voyage in 3 knot winds. I am sailing on a large freshwater lake in Ontario, Canada - Lake Couchiching (aka Lake of Many Winds) (13 square miles in size). I sailed standard Laser last year but found mast stepping in the wind too much for my upper body (even though I am a fit long distance swimmer of 72 years). I chose the Aero 9 based on body weight guidance offered by RS Sailing. Having experienced very light wind sailing I am concerned that I have chosen a rig which will be too much for me in heavier winds. I want the ability to sail quickly (my home is right on the Lake), hence selling my Laser for the 'mast - rigging ready' Aero. I wondering if I can downsize the sail without having to change the lower 1/2 of the mast? I use the boat for leisure only and and am not one who will compete. A (goofy looking?) smaller sail on oversized mast is not a problem. Need expert advice! and thanks for your reply
Peter Weedon
Reply
Peter Weedon
Reply
21/05/2021 20:23:00
Posts: 0
