![]() Short of that, motor sailing is an option-or consider a new destination. A spinnaker can add extra power, speed, and stability. Autopilots are at their worst in these conditions, as are human steerers. A preventer (a line that holds the boom out) should be rigged to prevent the boom from swinging wildly. Reaching in a beam or following sea can be treacherous, as the boat lurches around. Keep the boom vang firm enough to hold the top batten of the main parallel to the angle of the boom. If the sail doesn’t luff, let it rest against the rig. The main should go way out-out against the rigging if necessary. Trim to keep the middle of the sail working. On a beam to broad reach, the top of the jib will spill open. Ease sails, using the telltales to match the angle of attack to your course. Beam to Broad ReachingĪs we bear off more, the boat stands upright. On a close reach, a reefed main and big jib can be an effective sail combination. On a heavy air “blast reach” keep the main flat, and ease it to half luffing, if necessary, to control heeling forces and weather helm. Also, ease the outhaul and backstay slightly to add power to the main. When overpowered on a reach, easing the vang will spill power, reduce heel, and balance the helm. As you turn to a reach and ease the mainsheet, the vang will go taut, preventing the boom from rising and the leech of the main from spilling. As an initial setting, take the slack out of the vang while trimmed for close-hauled. As the boom goes out, the vang is critical to control twist. As the main goes out, heeling forces decrease, and the boat accelerates. Keep the vang tight, and ease the mainsheet or lower the traveler. With the jib trimmed outboard, ease the main. If the lead is not moved as the sheet is eased, then the top of the sail will twist open, spilling power, and the bottom of the sail will hook in toward the boat, creating excess drag. Keep the halyard firm to hold the draft forward and prevent the back of the sail from becoming too round. Ease the jib and, for best performance, move the lead outboard and forward, chasing the clew of the sail with the lead. To make the most of the wider wind angle, retrim the sails for the new course. ALL ABOUT DOWNWIND SAIL TRIM Tips for Off-Wind Angles □ Lissa Photography Reaching Close ReachingĪs you bear away from close-hauled to a close reach the forces on the sails rotate forward, speed jumps, and heeling forces are reduced.
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