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Equipment & Sails for Sale / Re: Wanted - U20 Rudder
« Last post by Steve Shaw on Today at 03:24:43 PM »Yep, $800.
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Equipment & Sails for Sale / Wanted - U20 Rudder
« Last post by Michael Morgan on June 22, 2026, 11:40:11 PM »We finally did it....dragged the rudder while recovering the boat on the trailer. Does anyone have a spare rudder to sell?
kiteeatingtrees@gmail.com
Thanks!
Morgan - LNYC
kiteeatingtrees@gmail.com
Thanks!
Morgan - LNYC
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U20 Regattas - Where, When & Who's Going! / Re: 2026 North American Championship
« Last post by Mike Josselyn on June 17, 2026, 03:41:06 PM »The NORs are attached to this posting. They will be published at the registration site on Regatta Network by the end of June. The event is being coordinated with the Express 37 Nationals. We will be sailing in the Southampton Course area which is near the Richmond Yacht Club. The Express 37s will have a longer course and fewer races than what we expect for the U20s.
Please PM me if you have any questions as we move forward to finalizing a great event on the water and on shore for you and your team.
Please PM me if you have any questions as we move forward to finalizing a great event on the water and on shore for you and your team.
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U20 Regattas - Where, When & Who's Going! / Re: 2026 North American Championship
« Last post by Mike Josselyn on June 15, 2026, 05:08:38 PM »Your host committee at Richmond Yacht Club is working on finalizing the NORs for the North Americans. We plan on having an awesome event sailing out of the Club on the Southampton Course area. Watch this space for the links to the NORs and other information about the event.
There is strong interest from U20 owners from other parts of the US in attending the event, but driving a boat out to the West Coast is a big commitment. If you are an owner on the west coast and interested in chartering your boat, please PM me about your interest and I can connect you with possible charterers. Other options for owners who want to sail their boats but don't have full crew available is ask other U20 class members from the east coast or midwest to join them. Finally, if you have a U20 on the west coast but haven't sailed it in a North American event and want to have a skipper who has, we can help you find one. You can PM me and I'll work with you to find the best option.
If you want to just come and watch the event, the best way is to be on the Committee boat or mark boat. Bring your camera and catch some great action and terrific views on San Francisco Bay. Our volunteer signup list is available and you can sign in for one, two, or three days on the water (free lunch too!)
https://richmondyc.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_type=event_list&event_id=283&console_id=0401&ht=1
There is strong interest from U20 owners from other parts of the US in attending the event, but driving a boat out to the West Coast is a big commitment. If you are an owner on the west coast and interested in chartering your boat, please PM me about your interest and I can connect you with possible charterers. Other options for owners who want to sail their boats but don't have full crew available is ask other U20 class members from the east coast or midwest to join them. Finally, if you have a U20 on the west coast but haven't sailed it in a North American event and want to have a skipper who has, we can help you find one. You can PM me and I'll work with you to find the best option.
If you want to just come and watch the event, the best way is to be on the Committee boat or mark boat. Bring your camera and catch some great action and terrific views on San Francisco Bay. Our volunteer signup list is available and you can sign in for one, two, or three days on the water (free lunch too!)
https://richmondyc.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_type=event_list&event_id=283&console_id=0401&ht=1
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U20 Boat Maintenance & Care / Re: Forestay/Jib adjustment
« Last post by Steve Shaw on June 13, 2026, 02:44:07 PM »When I designed the adjustable headstay assembly, I used the max back (34' 9") as my 7/8 point. From there, we were able to pull it forward roughly 2.75", I think. A lot depended on the tools we were using and wherever the rig started at (ie. pigtail length and length between swivel and halyard block). Most riggers use a 2/3 rule for making wire lengths with adjustable turnbuckles.
As for jibs remaining furled over time, I don't recommend it because it can lead to a permanent curl in the patches and along the leech. All things that will make you cringe when trying to sail in light air. Not to mention that having a jibsock on there flapping in the wind and vibrating the rig will only lead to excessive mast/rigging wear.
As for jibs remaining furled over time, I don't recommend it because it can lead to a permanent curl in the patches and along the leech. All things that will make you cringe when trying to sail in light air. Not to mention that having a jibsock on there flapping in the wind and vibrating the rig will only lead to excessive mast/rigging wear.
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U20 Boat Maintenance & Care / Re: Forestay/Jib adjustment
« Last post by Brian Mikiten on June 11, 2026, 07:02:26 PM »Steve - As I initiated the thread, I have additional questions. I'll go measure the mast to transom distance soon but how much adjustment does your forestay design provide and how did you determine those numbers? Also, as a sail maker, can you address the stretch on a typical jib if it is kept furled and on the boat over time? THX
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U20 Regattas - Where, When & Who's Going! / Sailing world youth racing
« Last post by Glenn VanHeel on June 04, 2026, 07:17:59 PM »8
U20 Boat Maintenance & Care / Re: Forestay/Jib adjustment
« Last post by Josh Jones on June 01, 2026, 09:15:53 PM »Thanks for the insights, Steve, that all makes sense to me.
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U20 Boat Maintenance & Care / Re: Forestay/Jib adjustment
« Last post by Steve Shaw on June 01, 2026, 08:47:18 PM »As the one who started making adjustable headstays, allow me to enlighten everyone who has read this thread to this point.
The Ultimate 20 is a very well balanced boat with a nicely shaped and generously sized rudder. The ability to adjust headstay length and therefor "mast rake" does little to adjust the feel of the helm. Having the mast further back in the boat (more rake) does influence the way the boat sails in anything under 15 knots of breeze. Once the boat becomes over powered and you are fighting weather helm, moving the mast forward will not curb that as much as tightening the headstay to reduce sag. Ah ha, I said it and Ill say it again...Headstay sag is the most important tool to balancing the boat. The point of the adjustable headstay is to be able to shorten the headstay on a day when you know it is going to be 15-20+ and you know that you will be struggling to keep the headstay tight while sailing, thereby keeping the jib flat and open instead of sagging the luff and closing the leech. The adjustable headstay allows you to sail most of the time at your desired maximum rake and yet still have the ability to shorten the headstay when windy in order to keep shroud tensions nice and tight and allow the uppers to hold the hounds back more so than down. Don't out think yourselves too much. K I S S
The Ultimate 20 is a very well balanced boat with a nicely shaped and generously sized rudder. The ability to adjust headstay length and therefor "mast rake" does little to adjust the feel of the helm. Having the mast further back in the boat (more rake) does influence the way the boat sails in anything under 15 knots of breeze. Once the boat becomes over powered and you are fighting weather helm, moving the mast forward will not curb that as much as tightening the headstay to reduce sag. Ah ha, I said it and Ill say it again...Headstay sag is the most important tool to balancing the boat. The point of the adjustable headstay is to be able to shorten the headstay on a day when you know it is going to be 15-20+ and you know that you will be struggling to keep the headstay tight while sailing, thereby keeping the jib flat and open instead of sagging the luff and closing the leech. The adjustable headstay allows you to sail most of the time at your desired maximum rake and yet still have the ability to shorten the headstay when windy in order to keep shroud tensions nice and tight and allow the uppers to hold the hounds back more so than down. Don't out think yourselves too much. K I S S
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U20 Boat Maintenance & Care / Re: Forestay/Jib adjustment
« Last post by Josh Jones on June 01, 2026, 12:49:34 PM »I'm not really sure what you asked the AI, but I still disagree with you. AI responses tend to give bias depending on how you ask your questions.
I will admit, I was speaking in generalities, and I guess maybe there could be something weird about a U20 that makes your opinion work. However it is basically rigged like a big dinghy, and the common practice is to add more rake in heavier wind conditions. Less rake in lighter air.
That's OK though, by all means, adjust your mast rake however you please!
I will admit, I was speaking in generalities, and I guess maybe there could be something weird about a U20 that makes your opinion work. However it is basically rigged like a big dinghy, and the common practice is to add more rake in heavier wind conditions. Less rake in lighter air.
That's OK though, by all means, adjust your mast rake however you please!