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