Corsair 28r User manual

SAILING MANUAL

For Corsair Trimarans

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Sailing manual applicable to

Corsair Trimarans

This manual has been compiled to help you to operate your craft with

safety and enjoyment. It contains details of the craft, the equipment

supplied or fitted, its systems, and information on its operation and

maintenance. Please read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the

craft before using it.

If this is your first craft, or you are changing to a type of craft you are

not familiar with, for your own comfort or safety, please ensure that

you obtain handling and operating experience before assuming

command of the craft. Your dealer or national sailing federation or

yacht club will be pleased to advise you of local sailing schools or

competent instructors.

PLEASE KEEP THIS MANUAL IN SECURE PLACE, AND PASS ON

TO THE NEW OWNER WHEN YOU SELL THE CRAFT

Model: __________________________

Hull Number: ______________________________

Owner1:_____________

____________________

Owner2: _____________

____________________

Owner3: _____________

____________________

Built by:

Corsair Marine International

7 Go O Moi Street, Phu Thuan Ward, District 7, HCMC, Vietnam

Tel: +84.8.3873.3620, Fax: +84.8.3873.3621

Email: [email protected]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL ............................................................................................................................. 4

PREPARATION ..................................................................................................................... 4

LOADING ............................................................................................................................. 4

SAFETY COMPARTMENT ..................................................................................................... 5

OUTBOARD MOTOR............................................................................................................ 6

TRAILERING ......................................................................................................................... 7

RIGGING .............................................................................................................................. 8

LAUCHING ......................................................................................................................... 14

MAST RAISING ON THE WATER ........................................................................................ 18

RUDDER............................................................................................................................. 19

DAGGERBOARD................................................................................................................. 19

MAST SETUP...................................................................................................................... 20

SAILING.............................................................................................................................. 21

THE BASICS.................................................................................................................... 21

ROTATING MAST CONTROL .......................................................................................... 25

WINDWARD PERFORMANCE ........................................................................................ 26

REACHING ..................................................................................................................... 27

SCREACHER ................................................................................................................... 27

SPINNAKER.................................................................................................................... 28

SPINNAKER JIBING ........................................................................................................ 29

SPINNAKER SAILING DOWNWIND ................................................................................ 29

SAFE SAILING RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................. 30

SAILING HINTS............................................................................................................... 33

ANCHORING ...................................................................................................................... 34

BEACHING ......................................................................................................................... 35

RETRIEVING TO TRAILER ................................................................................................... 35

DE - RIGGING..................................................................................................................... 38

LIFTING OUT...................................................................................................................... 40

MARINA DOCKING ............................................................................................................ 40

SAFETY............................................................................................................................... 40

UNSINKABILITY.............................................................................................................. 41

OFFSHORE SAILING ....................................................................................................... 42

CAPSIZE ......................................................................................................................... 42

RIGHTING ...................................................................................................................... 43

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY .......................................................................................... 46

SAFETY IN GENERAL ...................................................................................................... 46

TECHNICAL NOTES ............................................................................................................ 47

WINCH LINE................................................................................................................... 47

SPRING RETAINING CLIPS.............................................................................................. 47

LAUNCHING................................................................................................................... 47

BEAM BOLTS ................................................................................................................. 47

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HOISTING MAINSAIL ..................................................................................................... 47

BEARING AWAY............................................................................................................. 47

HEAVY HELM ................................................................................................................. 48

RUDDER/DAGGERBOARD HUM .................................................................................... 48

RUDDER VENTILATION.................................................................................................. 48

COMPRESSION PADS..................................................................................................... 49

WING NETS.................................................................................................................... 49

FLOAT/BEAM VENTS ..................................................................................................... 50

RUST .............................................................................................................................. 50

CLEANING FLOATS......................................................................................................... 50

CLEAN BOAT HINT......................................................................................................... 50

COLLISION ..................................................................................................................... 51

HURRICANE SURVIVAL .................................................................................................. 51

SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................ 53

CORSAIR SAIL PLANS: ........................................................................................................ 55

CORSAIR ACCOMODATION PLANS.................................................................................... 62

CORSAIR DECK LAYOUTS................................................................................................... 68

TYPICAL TRAILER SETUP .................................................................................................... 92

MAINTENANCE & SAFETY CHECKLIST ............................................................................... 93

MAST ............................................................................................................................. 93

RUNNING RIGGING ....................................................................................................... 93

STANDING RIGGING ...................................................................................................... 94

HULLS ............................................................................................................................ 94

BEAMS........................................................................................................................... 94

FOLDING SYSTEM.......................................................................................................... 95

TRAILER ......................................................................................................................... 95

CORSAIR DEALERS WORLDWIDE....................................................................................... 96

USA................................................................................................................................ 96

EUROPE ......................................................................................................................... 97

ASIA ............................................................................................................................... 98

SOUTH AMERICA........................................................................................................... 99

OTHER ........................................................................................................................... 99

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GENERAL

This manual contains important information about the safe operation and maintenance of your

Corsair built trimaran. Read it carefully, become familiar with the procedures described, and

follows the recommendations to help make your sailing enjoyable and trouble-free.

Corsair trimarans are designed and built as high performance cruising trimarans, which

when used as intended, with their enormous stability and unsinkability, are among the

safest and fastest trimarans afloat.

PREPARATION

Before going sailing, you will need to provide the proper safety equipment as required

by local regulations. This will usually include life jackets for all crew members, safety

harnesses for children, anchor, compass, bilge pump, fog horn, First Aid kit, fire

extinguishers, flashlight and batteries, life buoy, flares, a chart of the area to be sailed,

food, water, and adequate fuel.

Also check weather forecast, know what you might be sailing into.

Multihulls should be treated like aircraft when it comes to loading. Corsair trimarans are

light, responsive craft, and due to their narrow waterline do not have an unlimited load

carrying ability. Overloading can affect performance and handling, while excessive

overloading can also affect safety margins, the ratio of float buoyancy relative to the

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total weight falling. A higher ratio is faster and safer. Always be conscious of weight and

take care not to carry unnecessary items.

The load-carrying capacity of the different Corsair models is listed in the back of this

manual. Some overloading is acceptable for general sailing in sheltered waters, the only

adverse affect being a loss in performance. However, an overloaded boat offshore in

large waves can become dangerous due to greater loads generated in the structure, and

the sluggishness which can prevent the boat from rising to go over, or with the waves,

as it should.

When storing supplies, try to keep all heavy items located as low down as possible and

in the forward end of the cabin. Avoid storing any heavy items inside aft of the main

entry hatch, as too much weight aft can cause transom drag, affecting performance.

Corsair models have a very buoyant bow, which actually lifts at speed, and additional

weight should always be kept forward rather than aft.

Should your model have float storage, avoid heavy loads in the floats. These should only

be used for light bulky items such as sails, fenders etc. Heavy weight in the ends of any

boat, be it the bow, stern, or floats, can adversely affect the general motion.

To maintain a light boat, and that sparkling edge to performance, it is highly

recommended that you go through everything on board several times a year, and take

off any items that do not get used. This prevents the gradual buildup of unnecessary

weight.

SAFETY COMPARTMENT

Before sailing, it is important that the safety compartment be loaded with the

appropriate safety gear. This compartment is accessible from top or bottom and is

usually located in a cockpit coaming,or under the cockpit seat.

Its purpose is to keep important safety equipment that should be available to the crew

in any emergency situation, including a capsize. The equipment stored here should

include flares, a handheld VHF radio, EPIRB (offshore), extra line, spare tools, cutting

implements etc. in watertight bags (this is not a watertight compartment). No multihull

should venture offshore without safety gear in such a compartment.

(Bottom safety compartment hatch C28 & Sprint 750 MKII.)

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(The original prototype Dash 750, with outboard and under lugs rudder system. This type of

rudder can be removed altogether for long distance trailering. Aft cockpit models all now use

transom hung rudders.)

OUTBOARD MOTOR

The recommended motor size is given in the specifications at the back of this manual

and this is more than adequate for most circumstances.

A long shaft motor is the minimum required, and the extra long 25” shaft motors are

the best. A remote control can also help make operation very easy with aft cabin

models. With weight being important, try to choose a light outboard.

There are a number of socialist ‘Sail Boat’ motors now available and some of these are

designed for heavy, hard to push, displacement boats, and their propellers are

effectively ‘geared down’ to give high thrust at low speeds. However, Corsair trimarans

have a very easily driven hull and may not need such a propeller. The result can be the

same as always driving your car in low gear. You will have plenty of thrust, but speed is

low, and economy can be poor. These motors do have advantages, and if used, you may

need to experiment with different propellers to get the best and most efficient

performance. Refer to the engine manual for details of operation, maintenance and

winter storage. Always be sure you have enough fuel for your planned trip.

The motor can be used while the floats are extended for folded and should always be

tilted up when sailing.

The daggerboard should always be down when motoring, to prevent any sideways

movement. If not, the boat will have a hovercraft like motion with wide skidding turns.

With the board down, handling is excellent.

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TRAILERING

The total towing weight can vary considerably, depending on model and options, and

can be determined exactly by using a weighbridge. Check that the vehicle is approved

and equipped as recommended by its manufacturer for towing this weight, and the

capacity of the towing hitch is suitable.

While towing, watch for strong crosswinds. A Corsair is a relatively light boat for towing,

but it still has considerable wind age. For easy, stable towing, the trailer should be

balanced to have 5 to 10% of the total weight on the coupling ball. This can be

measured by a bathroom scale. If you find ‘fish tailing’ occurs, increase this weight. If

necessary, a simple change like shifting the gas tank or outboard forward can make a

considerable difference to trailer behavior.

Trailer lights are fitted either on special brackets or as a separate light bar on the boat’s

transom. They are thus independent from the trailer, and the wiring never gets near the

water, considerably improving reliability. If separate, be sure to fit the correct lights on

the appropriate sides. The wire should be run along the top of the boat, looped around

the foredeck cleat and then connected to the towing vehicle. Independent wiring avoid

the frequent breakdowns that occur with wiring through the trailer being towed on its

own, the lights can be mounted directly to the trailer.

Before trailering, check that tires are inflated correctly, the beam locking pins are in

place, the rudder is fully up and tied to one side, the poptop or hatch is secured, and the

boat is tied down to the trailer. There should be one tie-down per side, these being

looped around the winches or brackets on the cockpit coamings, and tied to the tie-

down loops on the trailer. The bow eye should also be tied down to the winch post, in

addition to the winch line. Check that all the trailer supports always bear equally against

the hulls.

When trailering, be sure to pivot up or remove the trailer jockey wheel, and that the

hitch is locked on to the ball.

Should the mast extend back past the trailer lights by more than the legal amount, the

appropriate warning flag should be tied on the back. The mast can be positioned far

enough forward to eliminate any excessive over this may not be possible if the towing

vehicle is a van.

When trailering, always allow extra distance for stopping. Particularly watch for low

bridges, overhanging trees or awnings etc. if necessary, the boat can be partially

unfolded on the trailer in order to pass under a low bridge.

CAUTION

Measure and know the overall height on the trailer. Care should be taken to avoid all

low, overhead obstacles.

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RIGGING

This procedure has been developed from over hundreds of launchings around the world

and has proven to be safe and easy. Don’t be disheartened if it takes you longer the first

few times. This is not a race. After a few launchings this process will become easier as

you are more familiar with your boat and your confidence builds.

Two people can have a 750, C28 rigged and launched in around 30 minutes. The Cruze

970 may take a little longer as everything is larger and heavier.

CAUTION

Always park into the wind, or uphill to help the mast stay in line while being winched up.

Trailer should remain hooked to towing vehicle.

DANGER

Before starting to rig, check to see that there are no power lines for the mast not to

touch while being raised, or while being moved to the ramp.

Recommended setup procedure is as follows:

1. Remove the trailer tie-downs, and the trailer lights. The tie-downs can be tied

together and used as the bow line for launching. Saves stowing them, and then

finding a bow line.

2. Undo the trailer winch hook, and pull some slack so the hook will pass over the

bow roller. Leave it lying on the foredeck.

3. Place the mast raising pole on the foredeck for use. Climb onto the bow using the

nonskid areas on the float bows as stepping points.

4. Move aft alongside the mast undoing the mast ties (at each end) and the rigging

ties as you go.

5. Lift the forward end of the mast and walk aft, rolling the mast on the aft mast

roller while checking that the rigging wires do not catch. Stop once the mast foot

is over the pivot brackets.

(C28 & C31 pivot brackets.)

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Now it is the time to fit any masthead indicator to the top of the mast. Lift the

mast up until the indicator can be fitted to the masthead form the ground behind

the boat. If rigging single-handed, the mast can usually be balanced in this

position to enable fitting.

With C28 & Cruze 970 rotating masts, the mast yoke now need to be fitted to the

mast foot using the through pin (yoke can also be fitted prior to rolling mast back,

or be left on the foot at prior de-rigging). Another alternative is to attach the yoke

to the deck first, then fit the mast to it.

6. The mast foot is connected to the mast step as follows:

(Dash/Sprint 750 MKII yoke.)

(C28, C31 & Cruze 970 yoke.)

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7. Fit the mast raising wires these are led form the eye around 8’ up the front of the

mast (side of the mast with non-rotating masts) to the side anchors on the cabin

roof (aligned with the mast pivot point). These raising wire anchors can be ‘clip

on’ or ‘lift up loops’ or extra chain plates, depending on model.

(Mast raising eye on mast.)

Note that the length of these raising wires is adjustable and they should be

slightly loose and monitored on the first mast raising. This is to ensure they

cannot become over tight during the initial raising procedure. They should never

be more than moderately tight, and, once adjusted and set, should need no

further monitoring or adjustment.

(Raising wire eye on cabin top.)

An alternative to raising wires is to use the spinnaker and screacher halyards.

These can also provide an extra backup in difficult conditions, but they do take

longer to setup. If used, they must be cleated at the bottom to the mast

8. Position the mast raising pole on the mast in the yoke socket. Attach the wire

form the top of the pole to the eye on the front of the mast, with the pole being

approximately perpendicular to the mast.

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If considered necessary, (strong cross winds or single-handed) additional light

side lines can be fitted from the end to the raising wire anchors to stabilize pole

sideways.

Where the yoke is used (C28 and Cruze 970 rotating masts) the length of the

wire from the pole to the mast can also be adjusted, and a little experimenting

will give an almost perfect moderate tension on the raising wires throughout the

complete raising procedure.

9. Take the trailer winch line hook, pull it back over the pole and connect it to the jib

halyard snap shackle (after it has been unhooked from the mast). Winch line

should extend at least 2’ aft of the mast pole fork.

(Halyard tied down as safety back up.)

Check to see that the jib halyard is securely tied off at the cleat on the side of

the mast.

CAUTION

With rotating masts, the shrouds must always be connected to the floats. Otherwise

there is a danger that mast could topple forward with over-winching.

10. The mast is now winched up, checking again for power lines.

Check to see that all rigging wires are clear and have not snagged anywhere,

particularly aft chain plates on Cruze 970. Raising wires should initially be slightly

loose, and tighten slightly on the way up.

WARNING

During mast raising it is very important to be alert to all items of rigging lifting or

supporting the mast. If any resistance to raising is felt at point, stop and check that

nothing has fouled. Do not proceed until any obstruction is clear

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If the mast raising pole tends to twist sideways this can be controlled by light

lines to the raising wire anchors as mentioned earlier.

(Mast on way up and being held from going sideways by raising wires.)

Check that socket in the rotating mast foot aligns correctly with the pivot ball on

the deck, as the mast nears the fully up position.

CAUTION

Winch operator should be careful to ensure that the trailer winch line lies evenly across

drum while mast is begin raised. With an offset bow roller, there can be a tendency for

incoming line to pile up on one side of the drum, to where it can suddenly slip off.

Monitor the float shrouds with rotating masts on initial rigging to ensure they do

not become too tight or catch on anything during raising. C28 (rotating mast)

have a high field lever system on the float decks that allow the shroud enough

slack for the mast to be fully raised when the float is folded, while preventing

any danger of the mast topping forward. The 750’s special folding geometry

allows this on its own.

The Cruze 970 mast is large and heavy, with high loads, and extra caution should

be taken to ensure it is not able to swing too far sideways. Never park in a cross

wind or sideways on a slope, unless extra help is available to steady mast.

11. Once the mast is fully up, connect forestay. At initial rigging mast rake should be

set to around 3° to 4°, which is 1° to 2° more than the rake of the aft edge of the

forward beams when viewed from the side. Once initial adjustment has been

done, the forestay turnbuckle does not need to be undone during normal rigging

or de-rigging, only the clevis pin is removed or inserted.

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(Always leave mast raising wires attached until after the boat is unfolded. 750 ‘fold down’

anchoring loops shown here.)

12. Once forestay is connected, slacken off the trailer winch, disconnect the jib

halyard, and return it to the mast. Remove raising pole, mast yoke, rewind the

winch and reconnect hook to the bow eye.

Leave mast raising wires attached to the mast, as these are still required for

support until after the float are unfolded and shroud properly connected to

floats.

13. The topping lift is now disconnected from the mast lower end and connected to

the end of the boom to help take the weight. Remove the sail bag from the

mainsail/boom and connect the boom to the mast.

14. Tighten all the battens in the mainsail, if required. Connect the mainsheet to the

boom. Feed the mainsail head into the track on the mast and connect the main

halyard.

15. Run all the halyard lines from the mast through the turning blocks back to the

correct rope clutches on the aft end of the cabin roof.

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(Lead halyards like this.)

16. Connect the mast electric plug if required.

17. The headsail can be fitted now if wished, or after launching. The sheets are laid

out and connected to the clew (sheets can be kept can be in the anchor well for

quick access). The headsail can be kept under control by a shock cord which can

be left on the foredeck for this purpose. Just keep it hooked to the toe rail or

pulpit.

18. Untie the rudder, and check that the daggerboard up-line is cleated.

The outboard motor should also be in the up position.

19. The aft mast support is now removed and stored. You are now ready to launch.

LAUCHING

WARNING

Before taking the boat to the ramp, check to see that there are no power lines for the

mast to touch.

Back the trailer down the ramp until the trailer is submerged up until just past the

inward bend of the side frame members (about 6 to 8’back the winch post).

(Submerge trailer to inward bend.)

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Disconnect the winch hook and push the boat off, while holding on to the bow line, or

you can get on board (but start the motor first before pushing off). Be careful of

crosswinds or wind from the stern. The boat, with its shallow draft, will move quickly

sideways in such conditions, and you should not launch until there is sufficient

maneuvering room alongside.

This ability to go sideways is one drawback of shallow draft, and you should always

make allowances when launching/retrieving or under power. First priority at every

launch should be to lower the daggerboard! This helps to prevent any sideways

movement, and gives excellent maneuverability under power.

The Cruze 970 is a large boat to handle at ramps, but because of its lightness, it is easy

to move around. The trick is not to fight it, but to plan ahead what you are going to do,

and gently guide it in the correct direction.

An offshore wind at the ramp is ideal, as the boat will just lie quietly downwind at the

end of the bow line. It is just then a simple matter of boarding over the float bows, and

backing off or just walking her over to a boarding dock, if available.

An onshore wind is the most difficult, as the boat will swing sideways once launched,

and come towards the ramp. In this situation the boat should be held off the ramp from

a central position on the side. You will find a balance point where it will lie evenly until

you are ready to board.

If a dock is alongside it is a good idea to run a stern line to the dock, so that the stern

can be pulled to the dock after launching, thus preventing it from swinging around.

A good way of launching in all conditions, if extra help is available, is for someone on

board to start the motor before launching, and simply back the boat away from the

ramp remembering, of course, to drop the daggerboard once clear of the trailer.

All models are always launched folded, and unfolding can be done either at the dock, or

while motoring away, even in choppy conditions. Folded stability is very good, but it is

limited, particularly on bigger boats like the C28 and Cruze 970. Always take care in

strong crosswinds and avoid fast tight turns, as it is possible to roll the boat over! If

necessary, immediately unfold at least one side to avoid any risk. The Cruze 970 also has

a secondary wider folded beam of 9’ 6” which improves folded stability, and if you

intend motoring very far while folded, you should use this position.

WARNING

Always take care in strong winds while fully folded and with mast up. A combination of a

fast tight turn and mast windage and weight could cause a roll over in such conditions. If

in doubt, unfold one or both sides to eliminate this danger.

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(Unfolding can be done at the dock or while motoring away. But beware, while folding stability is

good, it is limited.)

To unfold, first check that there are no ropes across the beam recesses, and the tiller is

clear. Remove the beam looking pins, place your foot on the top of the upper folding

strut, grasp the top of the beam and pull downwards, while pushing with your foot.

WARNING

Always check that no one has their foot/hand/fingers in or near the recesses when

folding, as the beams can come down quickly!

The float will unfold, but be careful it doesn’t pick up too much speed towards the end.

Hold the beam down and tighten the bolts using a speed wrench. These bolts should be

tightened firmly, but not over tightened.

WARNING

The Beam Bolts must always be in place and tightened before sailing

If anything seems hard or difficult when folding, stop and see if anything is misaligned,

or snagged. It is usually a wing net catching. Should you have difficulty in holding the

beams down to tighten the bolts, then the usual cause is wing nets that have been

lashed too tightly. These should be slackened slightly.

It is not necessary to hold both forward and aft beams when folding. One person

operating either beam is all that is required. The wing nets will extend and tighten

themselves. There is knack in unfolding of using both your foot to push on the upper

folding strut and your hands to pull the top of the beam in and down. After a few tries

you will find it easy to do.

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(Secure the lever by putting the locking pin trough the three holes and place a locking ring. You

should need a bit difficult to close the lever so there’s enough tension on the shroud. Used on C28

and C31.)

The shrouds are now secured correctly to the floats, with the link plate (if fitted) being

pinned to the chain plate. The 750 MKII does not require this, as its shrouds can be left

permanently attached to chain plate.

Rotating mast shrouds only need to be moderately tight, even slightly loose as a tight rig

can restrict rotation.

Once adjusted at initial launching, all turnbuckles can remain fixed, and should not

require to be adjusted during launching or retrieving. Just the spring clip and clevis pin

are inserted or removed in the turnbuckle toggle or link plate.

Once the mast is properly supported by the shrouds, the mast raising wires can be

removed.

The spinnaker pole bowsprit can now be fitted or extended depending on model.

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(Beam bolts must always be tightened firmly before sailing.)

MAST RAISING ON THE WATER

It may be necessary to sometimes launch with the mast down and raise the mast later.

To do this you will need an additional strong block to attach to the bow roller/stern

fitting. A spinnaker sheet block is ideal. The mast raising pole/yoke must also be carried

on board.

Once in clear water, follow the same mast setup and raising procedures as listed under

rigging, but instead of the trailer winch line, use a line from a sheet winch to the bow

block, and then back to the jib halyard. The mast can then be winched up. The

procedure is reversed of lowering.

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