6
4.
SAIL HANDLING
1. MAINSAIL:
The main will require a lot of trimming if you want to get maximum
performance at all times. The mainsheet will be your key control for mainsail trimming
as the boat has many speed potentials in difference wind speeds. A general rule: The
leach of your main must always be straight no matter what the wind force. By standing
at the end of the boom in the cockpit and looking up the leach to the mast top you will
have the proper position to best judge the sail shape. From this position you will note
that the leach of the sail must not be twisted off unless the boat is being pressed to
hard.
2. MAINSAIL LUFF TENSION:
In light air you tighten the main halyard only until the
wrinkles in the sail are gone. In medium air the main halyard is tightened to remove
wrinkles and be sure the luff is straight. In heavy air the main halyard is tightened hard
to flatten the sail while at the same time the mainsheet should also be pulled in hard.
* If you are at anchor for a short time with the mainsail up, loosen the main halyard to
release the tension in the mainsail to quiet the boat.
3. MAINSHEET CAR:
Multihulls have a rule: The mainsheet car must never pass the
centerline of the boat to windward ... not even in light air. If the wind is increasing
when sailing up wind and you find the main has too much power, try sheeting the
traveler approximately 4-6" to leeward instead of slacking the mainsheet, therefore
hollowing the main. Of course, don't rule out easing off the sheet in heavy air as well
when you feel you are overpowered.
4. BACKSTAYS:
The combined top shroud-backstay has been developed for the
swing-wing system and to enable easy and quick trimming of the top shrouds. When
sailing, always set the backstays the same on both sides to obtain even tension on the
topshrouds.
1) Light wind, set them by hand without using a winch handle.
2) Medium wind, use the winch handle lightly to add tension.
3) Heavy wind, set the backstays on the self tailing winch as hard as you can,
turning the winch handle with only one hand.
**NOTE** Double-handed grinding on winch for backstay tension can be too
much strain on the rigging and the boat in general
. Be careful not to "over
tension" the backstays. By following the simple rules above and limiting your
tensioning to the strength of one hand, you will have good control.
