BLUE FLAG SAILORS SAILING ACADEMY
Trimming Sails
TRIMMING SAILS
Trimming The Mainsail
The main sail is controlled by the mainsheet, halyard, vang,
outhaul, backstay, traveler, and cunningham. The mainsheet and
traveler are used to control leech tension (twist). As the main is
sheeted in, the boom is being pulled down thereby closing the leech.
When letting out the sheet, the boom lifts up and the leech opens
or twists in proportion to the force of the wind.
The leech of the mainsail is a major control factor when steering
the boat upwind. A leech that is overly open or loose does not allow
for efficient close-hauled sailing. While a leech that is overly
closed or tight results in a sail that is too resistant to the wind
thus, creating weather helm and causing the bow to head up into the
eye-of-the-wind.
Trimming The Headsail
FINE TUNING THE MAINSAIL WHEN CLOSE-HAULED
TWIST, DRAFT, AND DEPTH.
Three Sail Trim steps to optimize Mainsail shape when Close-hauled.
TWIST
To set Twist, adjust the Mainsheet and/or Traveler.
Mainsheet
High Wind - Ease the mainsheet to increase twist.
Low Wind - Sheet the Mainsail in to decrease twist.
Traveler
High Wind - Raise the traveler to increase twist.
Low Wind - Lower the traveler to decrease twist.
DRAFT
To set Draft, adjust the Downhaul and/or Halyard.
Downhaul
High Wind - Tension Downhaul to move Draft 1/3 aft.
Low Wind - Ease Downhaul to move Draft forward.
Halyard
High Wind - Tension Halyard to move Draft Forward.
Low Wind - Ease Halyard to move Draft Aft.
DEPTH
To set Depth, adjust the Backstay to affect mast bend
and/or Outhaul to adjust the the lower part of the sail.
Backstay
High Wind - Tension Backstay to decrease Depth and move Draft forward.
Low Wind - Ease Backstay to increase Depth and move Draft aft.
Outhaul
High Wind - Tension Outhaul to move Draft Forward.
Low Wind - Ease Outhaul to move Draft Aft.
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