How to Shape the Mainsail for Beating

Easy tips for small boat cruising sailors-- http://www.skippertips.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• how to sail
• sailing terms
• sailing basics
• sail shape

[seasensical]

Hi,

This setting would be for extreme light air conditions (ghosting). Use this in combination with the mainsheet. Ease the mainsheet just a bit so that you maintain lift and forward drive without stalling.

[seasensical]

Hi,

I use Camtasia Studio 7, from Techsmith software.

Captain John

[seasensical]

Hi,

Thanks for your comments. The combination of moving the mainsheet car downwind plus the wind force will help twist the main earlier in heavy air. After making the traveler adjustment, ease the mainsheet a bit if needed to help keep the boat on her feet. Your next action should be reefing the mainsail.

[seasensical]

Thanks for the comment. I might have been unclear in my thoughts. After moving the mainsheet car to a hole or two to windward, I would ease the mainsheet just a bit to increase twist for a flatter sail. Sailmaker and racing sailor Brian Hancock recommends to "twist the sail more than normal to keep the boat moving" in very light winds.

[wolfen682]

Not sure if the traveller should ever be set windward of the centre. Why? Because it degrades the efficiency of forward motion in favour of more leeward slide. So you may think you are sailing nicely however your boat is sliding further downwind than it would otherwise.

[Coaljet]

Very informative. May I ask what program you used to record the video / audio tutorial? Thanks.

[wingfin2]

Thanks for your excellent work!

So in heavy winds even though you are putting more tension through the leech, it is the strength of the wind that drives the twist downwards to the 30% zone. comments?

[scubajez]

These rules change depending on the rig...... This works with a masthead but not fractional. Neat though.

[gigapackiii]

In my opinion in diagram 2 the twist should be higher than the 50% line at e.g. 60%, because with the traveler further windward you get less tension on the leech and so an higher twist point.