Best simple(tons) sail trim guide.

[pcatterall]

Something to take on the boat so that when we are sailing we can refer to it and improve our 'trimming techniques' as we go.
Some nice simple diagrams would be great!!

I often see articles in magazines but being old and simple can make much better sense of what I read when I am in a real hands on situation It also has some chance of sticking in my brain if I read it and do it straight away.

Recommendations please!!

 

[sarabande]

before you start adjusting sails, I'd start with making sure that your rig is properly tuned. ZSpars have a few pages which are excellently produced and simple to follow.

http://www.zsparsuk.com/#!rig-tuning-advice/c21dz


Then North Sails have a series of tuning guides. Perhaps a bit techy, but with printable sections and diagrams.

http://www.uk.northsails.com/RADUploads/How-Sails-Work.pdf

Have lots of fun !

 

[lustyd]

Sail trim is easy. Loosen each rope in turn and see if you go faster. If not, tighten them. If still not faster then it was the wrong rope or you were going top speed

 

[Javelin]

Trim guide for the Neptunian 33 ketch ?

 

[knuterikt]

Something to take on the boat so that when we are sailing we can refer to it and improve our 'trimming techniques' as we go.
Some nice simple diagrams would be great!!

I often see articles in magazines but being old and simple can make much better sense of what I read when I am in a real hands on situation It also has some chance of sticking in my brain if I read it and do it straight away.

Recommendations please!!

I like this book (have the Norwegian version) http://www.dedekam.com/sailtrim.html

 

[Poecheng]

There was a fairly long thread a month or so back on sail trim. If I could transplant everything Javelin said into my head I would be a happy man (no disrespect to the others who posted) Worth searching out !

 

[alan_d]

What about the RYA Sail Trim Handbook for Cruisers? http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/product.aspx?pid=G99(RYADefaultCatalog)&mode=t&type=BK(RYADefaultCatalog)

 

[Javelin]

The issue is that the books, RYA, North and the like have to generalise so much that its hard to get much help for you and your specific boat or in some cases they pick a boat /rig and cover that but if your rig is not the same, again its hard to use it for you own aims.

Most Class associations usually have a crib sheet or at least a guru that'll help.

If your class is one of the hundreds that don't have that then you need to make your own by picking the brains and getting it written down in a little black book which you can then lose.
Split it into three Chapters, Upwind, Reaching and Downwind.
Spit each chapter into three, Light, Medium and Heavy winds.
I've got one for all the boats I've sailed on for any length of time and find them invaluable to refer back to especially when things just don't feel right.

Pick one you want to work on first and we'll work it out, there's plenty of contributors on here not to mention numerous editors.

We just need to know what boat it is and the type of rig, mast furling main, conventional, fully battened or better still a recent-ish photo with your sails up.

 

[William_H]

Well I reckon to simplify it is working up wind that is most problematic and makes most difference. It is the jib that matters most.
2 things for the jib are the sheeting point ie cars on the tracks next to the cabin. Forward for lighter winds but forward for any rolls in the furler or smaller jibs.
Jib sheet tension. Generally really tight.
Check the sheeting point by luffing and watch from tell tales if it is the top or bottom luffing first. Top luffs first sheeting is too far aft. Bottom luffs first sheeting is too far forward. Get em equal. olewill

 

[Twister_Ken]

Get a place on a decent racing yacht, on the basis that you'd like to learn. You will.

 

[DJE]

Something to take on the boat so that when we are sailing we can refer to it and improve our 'trimming techniques' as we go.
Some nice simple diagrams would be great!!

I often see articles in magazines but being old and simple can make much better sense of what I read when I am in a real hands on situation It also has some chance of sticking in my brain if I read it and do it straight away.

Recommendations please!!

Basic guide from Kemp Sails is here:-

http://www.kempsails.com/technical-data/17-trimming-mainsails-headsails/file.html

 

[Ripster]

Go racing - thats the fastest way to learn real techniques IMO.

But a straight forward book (as mentioned earlier I think) with lots of diagrams - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sail-Rig-Tuning-Ivar-Dedekam/dp/1898660670

 

[jwilson]

Well I reckon to simplify it is working up wind that is most problematic and makes most difference. It is the jib that matters most.
2 things for the jib are the sheeting point ie cars on the tracks next to the cabin. Forward for lighter winds but forward for any rolls in the furler or smaller jibs.
Jib sheet tension. Generally really tight.
Check the sheeting point by luffing and watch from tell tales if it is the top or bottom luffing first. Top luffs first sheeting is too far aft. Bottom luffs first sheeting is too far forward. Get em equal. olewill

Much of what you find on a modern racing boat (or even most older ones) are not that applicable to a heavy long-keel cruising ketch with non-bendy masts and probably a fixed three blade prop. I agree jib/genoa trim is the first thing to concentrate on, get some telltales on the headsail, and use them to set sheeting angles. Then the same with mainsail leech telltales. The mizzen is almost irrelevant to windward, on some ketches it even slows you down!

Don't expect to point too high: use a GPS with a waypoint set 20 miles dead to windward to see what pointing angle actually gets best VMG to waypoint. You may be surprised at how far away from pointing-as-high-as-you-can works best for actually getting to windward.

 

[DipperToo]

Quantum have a good guide(s) buried on their website.

Go to http://www.quantumsails.com/Sails/CruisingSupport.aspx and the bottom right has some links to documents for mainsail and headsail trim.

 

[Daydream believer]

Get a place on a decent racing yacht, on the basis that you'd like to learn. You will.

A lot of non racers will reject that comment out of hand but really it is the best advice whatever you sail
It is not only all about trim but general handling as well. Understanding conditions & when to pinch & when to go off a bit to get way on in a chop for example. Or when to tack down wind etc
But if you have a cr..py old set of sails that you just stick up & ram on outhaul & uphaul tension etc you will not get far
There are loads of books on sail trim but actually seeing what is right is far better.
Make sure your log is calibrated correctly so you can notice small changes in speed is useful as well

 

[dansaskip]

I like this book (have the Norwegian version) http://www.dedekam.com/sailtrim.html

Another thumbs up for this book.