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HotSail GPS Speed rigging tips

Created by JaffleBoy JaffleBoy  > 9 months ago, 20 Mar 2025
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JaffleBoy
JaffleBoy

WA

5 posts

20 Mar 2025 2:23pm
HI Anyone got one of the Hotsail GPS Speeds? Rigged for first time and finally got rigged after an hour but one of the cams just wouldnt flip. I had to hand push it no matter how hard my gybe flip was. Any tips on rigging ang adjustments would be great. I dont sail flat water a lot so only do it to see how fast I can go so this sail is just a cheap speed option 6.0m but frustrating day on the water. Only managed 29.4knots too which was disappointing.
ausbinny
ausbinny

193 posts

20 Mar 2025 2:34pm
Need some photos of the sail rigged - could be various issues if tuned correctly on the matching mast camber spacers may need removing you should be able to move the cam a bit with your hand if spacing is correct
JaffleBoy
JaffleBoy

WA

5 posts

20 Mar 2025 8:30pm
Unfortunately I didn't take any photos rigged and it's also not on a hot sail mast. Is an RDM though. On the beach I got told more downhaul but the leech was already very open
Awalkspoiled
Awalkspoiled

WA

533 posts

20 Mar 2025 9:13pm
You might want to email Jeff or even just call (1 808 893 0001). He's helpful and knowledgeable and will probably be able to say whether it's a downhaul issue, a spacing issue which would require grinding down the cam a little, or just a mast compatibility issue too grave to be worth struggling with. I'd rig it first so you can send pix.
Jetlag
Jetlag

NSW

194 posts

21 Mar 2025 3:10am
Note that from the Unifiber Site, Hot Sails are considered to need more flex up high than a standard constant curve mast.
unifiber.net/masts-selector
mast compatibility is a big factor in cam rotation
gorgesailor
gorgesailor

632 posts

21 Mar 2025 6:59am
What Jetlag said. That said... I got mine to rig pretty well on my Chinook mast, but they also lean towards the Flextop side of the constant curve spectrum. Cam spacers are the first thing I would check.
JaffleBoy
JaffleBoy

WA

5 posts

21 Mar 2025 7:09pm
What's a cam spacer? Please excuse this wave sailor ignorance ??
Awalkspoiled
Awalkspoiled

WA

533 posts

22 Mar 2025 1:27am
Select to expand quote
JaffleBoy said..
What's a cam spacer? Please excuse this wave sailor ignorance ??


Cam spacers modify how strongly the cam presses against the mast, and operate independently from batten tension. They are little rectangular plastic washers which sit on the outside of the webbing which receives the front of the batten. With the sail downhauled and the batten tensioned, you should be able to just pinch a little fabric away from the mast just in front of the cam. If you can pinch a lot of fabric you need more pressure so you'd add a spacer or two. If the sleeve is drum-tight there's too much pressure and you'd either remove a spacer or if there's no spacer installed you'd grind away a little of the inside of the cam.

It sounds like you may have too much pressure although poor rotation can result from too little as well. If the cam rotates with a big bang if you push (or kick) it - that's often too much pressure.
duzzi
duzzi

1123 posts

22 Mar 2025 3:24am
Select to expand quote
JaffleBoy said..
What's a cam spacer? Please excuse this wave sailor ignorance ??


I used Hot Sails GPS from roughly 2008 to 2018, and I never had rotation problems. It is probably the mast. But, I assume this is a used sail, I would first readjust the battens, lose them up completely, rig the sail, and than tighten just to make wrinkles disappear. Next the spacers, if there are any installed, and the cam does not rotate, I would take them out. If these steps fail ... I would call Jeff.



FNQBilly
FNQBilly

QLD

111 posts

22 Mar 2025 2:23pm
Select to expand quote
JaffleBoy said..
HI Anyone got one of the Hotsail GPS Speeds? Rigged for first time and finally got rigged after an hour but one of the cams just wouldnt flip. I had to hand push it no matter how hard my gybe flip was. Any tips on rigging ang adjustments would be great. I dont sail flat water a lot so only do it to see how fast I can go so this sail is just a cheap speed option 6.0m but frustrating day on the water. Only managed 29.4knots too which was disappointing.


JB, you will definitely need a flex top mast mate. These sails do not work on anything else.
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