mainsail trim “trim the front of the jib and the back of the main” trim cycle 1) twist 2) depth...
TRANSCRIPT
Mainsail Trim
“Trim the front of the Jib and the back of the main”
Trim cycle 1) Twist 2) Depth 3) Draft position 4) Helm balance
Leech Tension (1)
Controlled by Mainsheet
Trim mainsheet until top batten is parallel to the boom.
Increased mainsheet tension moves the leech to windward.
Tighter leech moves the draft aft and increases weather helm
Depth (2)
Use mast bend and outhaul to control depth. Mast bend affects the
upper 2/3’s of the sail and moves draft aft
Outhaul affects the lower 1/3
Outhaul tension opens the slot lower down and opens the leech
Loose outhaul
Draft Position (3)
Controlled by the Cunningham Cunningham
tension moves draft forward and opens the leech
Helm Balance (4)
Trim the main position until top telltale flow most of the time
Control heel and reduce helm by dropping the traveler to leeward
Keep the leeward rail out of the water using the traveler first then adjust main power for wind conditions
Traveler & Main sheet interaction
On a stock I-36 moving the traveler to leeward causes increased mainsheet tension
The Slot
Set both main and genoa to have even slot top to bottom
Reaching – twist the main to match genoa twist
Downwind
When running the main is stalled Maximize projected
sail area Keep leech from
falling off by reducing twist
Heel the boat to windward if you can
Handling Waves in Heavy Wind
Keep the boat standing up Toe rail out of the water Go fast by footing – ease the sails Move the fairlead aft to flatten the
bottom of the jib and let the top twist off a bit
Ease the main in puffs to reduce helm and heel
Steering the waves
Maximize speed by steering a ‘swooping’ course Steer closer to the wind as you climb the
wave (the bow will be pushed to leeward) Bear away on the backside of the wave
and accelerate. Small adjustments to keep sailing
straight Every wave is an opportunity to sail
straight or lose a foot to leeward.
Questions