In common with other New Zealand companies, Weta Marine recently updated the Wētā logo to include macron accents. The macrons indicate the vowel sounds should be elongated “weh-taa”. Weta is a loanword from the Māori language (Te Reo) and while it is a common way of spelling it in New Zealand, it has a different meaning in Māori without the macrons – dirt, filth, muck, excrement, faeces. Pronunciation examples
Google Translate didn’t exist when the name was first established and it was decided it would be much easier using the less formal name for search engines. Not all applications support macrons but we will use them when we can. Gradually this will be rolled out to new boat hulls, covers and sail bags to highlight the Weta is proudly a product developed in New Zealand.
We also took this opportunity to update our slogan to “Life’s Better” because Life’s Better with a Wētā!
The logo on the boats can be updated with macrons cut from self-adhesive vinyl or you can order a complete logo with the macrons – shipping date TBA.
Get your order in quick for these exciting new gennaker colours; Orange, Pink, Dark Blue and Lilac in addition to the existing Blue, Black, Yellow and Red.
Available for order from Wētā dealers now for $850 + shipping.
Be the envy of the boat park with a colourful carbon tiller extension that glints in the sun.
Available in fixed length or telescopic carbon/kevlar tiller extension in fancy colours (blue, red, gold, black). Orange now available.
The photos don’t do them justice – they shimmer like Christmas tinsel!
Length – Telescopic 850/1650mm or Fixed: 1650mm to 2000mm (longer tiller recommended for boats with twin tiller extensions to avoid snagging on the ropes and webbing handles on the tramps)
Dimensions: Outer ends 22.8mm, centre 29.4mm
Weight approx: 300g
(The standard Wētā carbon tiller extension is 1600mm long)
Price from $130 – send email to info@wetasydney.com.au for quote.
The Ronstan Series 60 Furler and Swivel supplied by Wētā have sealed bearings but moisture can eventually penetrate the seal and cause it to become harder to unfurl or furl – especially if you leave it for long periods in a damp sail bag.After feedback from Wētā Marine, Ronstan have revised the product to have stainless steel bearings which mean they will spin freely, even if water penetrates the interior, and as the seal has been removed, they spin more freely than before. The revised products have an A suffix on the part number (e.g. RS006000A) and are available from Ronstan direct or from dealers with new stock.To give you some idea of the difference, this is a swivel test of the original RF6000 furler swivel vs the new furler swivel. The original is about 3 years old.
Original furler swivel test
New Furler swivel test
Furling Line Replacement One of the other reasons you furler may not undo easily is the furler line can become worn and the tufts in the line can catch on the teeth of the furling disks causing friction and making it harder to unfurl. To replace the line, all you have to do is to remove the lock nut holding the line guide the white plastic guard.
The Wētā is one of the few classes where you can sail single handed with main, jib and gennaker. The Wētā is unique in the way that it can be sailed in this format by any sailor with basic skills.
The reasons that the Wētā is easier to handle are:
Boomless rig
Simple sail controls
Self tacking jib
We now have a simple twin tiller kit to make your sailing experience even easier especially when combined with the Self Tacking Jib Kit.
With twin tillers you no longer have to worry about releasing the tiller extension and throwing it over onto the other tramp as you tack and gybe. When tacking you just; push the tiller to go through the tack, release it and swap sides keeping focused on your heading. The rudder will naturally go back to its fore/aft central position ready to start on the new tack. You just need to reach back knowing that the other tiller extension will be in position for adjustment on the new tack
This system allows you more time to be observant of your heading and other boats around you.
You will find with the combination of the self tacker and twin tillers the less agile sailors will get a new lease of life, gain confidence and will become timeless champions.
The twin tiller kit includes:
2 x piece tiller extension with universal joint (two piece makes freight possible now!)
2 x stainless steel rings
2m x 3mm shock cord
1 x Round tiller adapter
2 x 50mm x 4mm bolts and nuts
2 x Round stoppers
New tiller end plug
TWO TILLER EXTENSION BASES BOLTED TOGETHER WITH TWO 50MM X 4MM BOLTS
END OF BUNGY TIED TO GENNAKER RATCHET BLOCK. BUNGY GOES UNDER TRAMP
TWIN TILLER OVERVIEW
3MM BUNGY TIED TO STAINLESS RING USING PLASTIC BALL ON END OF BUNGY
HIGH QUALITY CARBON TWO PIECE TILLER
A SIMPLE DAB OF EPOXY GLUE ON SPIG TO MAKE A PRECISION JOIN
The Wētā Self-Tacking Jib kit consists of a deck-mounted track (using adhesive) and a new slightly smaller jib which enables you to tack and gybe with your hands free, especially when combined with the Wētā Twin Tiller kit, allowing faster, smoother turns.
New boats now come with the supports for the Self Tacking Jib Track built into the deck mold (it can still be used with the standard jib). For older boats there is a kit with the track and supports that is glued to the deck, sail, blocks and lines.
Track supports Included in deck moldAftersale Track for older boats (no screws required) Self tacker jib vs standard jibBow riggingTrack colours (ordered with boat)Clew attached to trackTrack fits deck contours
BENEFITS
RACING: – A ST allows you to tack upwind without touching jib sheet(s). – You maintain the perfect jib sheeting angle without adjustment each time you tack. – As you go through the tack it is only seconds before the jib sets on the new tack giving almost continuous power. – This continuous power combined with a smooth turn allows you good momentum through the tack. This efficiency could only be matched by a highly skilled crew. – When gybing with the gennaker, the jib does not need to be adjusted allowing you to focus on helming and the gennaker sheet. – When approaching the bottom mark the jib can be sheeted in advance, as you do not need to be on the new windward tack, allowing you more time to focus on the gennaker retrieval and approaching boats. – There is no jib sheet crossing the cockpit which means less chance of getting ropes tangling in your feet. – By not having a sheet to adjust each time you tack you can focus more on tacking technique; choosing a good patch of water, your new heading and be more aware of other boats. – All the above result in more efficiency, maintaining momentum and improving your boat handling.
DOUBLE HANDED: – Some have questioned the need for a self tacker as your crew can handle the jib. In fact we find the crew now take the jib sheet tension up a level and not just be happy to get the jib in and stop it flapping. – The crew can also take on more responsibility, with their head out of the cockpit, looking for wind shifts, tacking angles and giving the helmsperson good feedback for tactical decisions.
CRUISING: – There is less clutter in the boat. – When the breeze gets up the ST enables you to focus more on helming and mainsheet which are more critical for safe boat handling. – You will gain confidence by not having to make jib sheet adjustments as you tack and find your boat handling will improve. – Simplified controls always a bonus cruising or taking out new inexperienced sailors.
Although the ST sail has 10% less area, with its efficiency, it performs very well. For single handed sailors it is especially good. In our racing fleets, the ST sails are becoming very popular because it enables you to make flawless tacks and concentrate on tactics.
The good news is that all Wētā can be fitted with a ST and remain competitive.
However the focus is not purely on racing. For the average sailor the ST will give you a lot more confidence when sailing in the fresher breezes when otherwise you may have struggled a bit.
Available from Wētā Sydney for $1880 – installation available if required. It can also be supplied with new boats for $1570
What is the sail area of the self tacking jib? 3.0sqm. Around 6% less sail area than the standard jib at 3.2sqm.
What is the performance of the selftacking jib? Very little performance loss, if any. Simple 2:1 purchase. Many gains in terms of ease of boat handling. You have another pair of hands available when tacking and gybing. No need to trim the jib every time you tack. Cockpit free of jib sheets with only 2m of central self tacking sheet. Standard jib sheet with 2:1 purchase is about 9m.
Is the self tacking jib adjustable? Yes, using the cleat on the mast.
I have a hinged mast base, can I install the self tacking jib? The hinged mast base needs to be adjusted before the self tacker can be installed, contact info@wetamarine.com for instructions.
Can I use my existing jib? No, it is a different cut of sail, specially designed for the self tacking unit. However you can revert back to standard jib configuration with the self tacking unit installed.
Can a new Wētā from the factory come fitted with a self tacking jib? Yes Can I use the roller furling jib with it? It is not possible to combine a roller furler with a self tacker. – the drum required for a furling jib makes it too high to get it low enough for the self tacking sheeting angle. – a furling jib has to be a restrictive cut to allow it to be furled neatly and of course cannot have battens. – the area of a combination sail would be reduced in size to about 80% of the standard jib and would require a new raised ST molding. If you leave the jib cleats in place and just add a central fib swivel, you can use a standard jib, furling jib or self tacker.
Wētā Marine are adopting a ‘Wētā evolution’ approach to keep pace with cutting edge technology and to ensure we keep fresh in the market while maintaining a One Design ethos. After a number of years of testing we have rolled out some boat upgrades to give the Wētā a refresh as we head towards 2020 and beyond.
Wētā foam core hulls
The new foam hulls fits the same one design rule of all Wētā but incorporates improvements in 2017. Redesigned foam core construction of all threehulls which is both stiffer and lower in weight, improving performance. The new foam hulls are approximately 12kg (26lb) lighter than the previous production boat. Sailors will find it easier to manage on land – with no negatives on the race course. Total weight is strictly controlled, now just at the class minimum – so no corrector weights are required for normal class racing. 120kg (265lb) so sits at the minimum in the Wētā Class Rules.
About the new hulls
It’s interesting to note the original four Wētā manufactured in NZ were a foam sandwich construction. The boats are fast and strong and still highly competitive. At the time – it was not an economic option to build production boats this way but the march of technology now means we can share this benefit with all.
By removing weight out of the boat while not compromising strength, assembly and moving the boat around on land is so much easier!
New Square Top Mainsail (SQ)
The SQ gives more power in light air, excellent downwind but still capable of handling the big breeze that the Wētā is famous for. In testing, this sail has worked very well over a wide wind range. It is fast and provides a nice boost in speed to the Wētā in all conditions.
About the new SQ
Over the years, the main criticism of the Wētā has been a lack of performance under 8kts of wind. While no one sail design can accommodate the range in crew weights the new SQ is a highly developed sail: radial cut, square top – all by North Sails.
The Square Top sail reduces the turbulence and drag generated by the mast – particularly the top section.
Wētā Sailing Options – now even more versatile!
Foam core Wētā and SQ – this is a great choice if you are a racer and want a boost in performance especially in mixed fleets.
Foam core Wētā and Standard 8.3 main – perfect for the lighter weight sailors or grandad. The foam core Wētā is a joy to trail and launch with its lighter weight hull.
Foam core Wētā and smaller 6.5 main – perfect for mum or the kids who are lighter weight and want to play in the breeze with unmatchable stability. Great for dad in high wind with full control.
Standard Wētā with standard 8.3 main – if you are an explorer or rock hopper then this non-foam cored boat can certainly take a pounding hitting the beaches. Complete the setup with a furling jib for easy sail management.
Standard Wētā with Dacron main – this is your perfect sailing school or hire boat. Learn the basics quickly. Simple, safe and plenty of fun.
Over the years, the main criticism of the Wētā has been a lack of performance under 8kts of wind. While no one sail design can accommodate the range in crew weights the new SQ is a highly developed sail: radial cut, square top – all by North Sails.