Simple sail trim

[steve yates]

Reading Pma Mcgowan's thread on do you sail got me thinking about this.

I realise it's a big complicated subject, but can anyone give me some basic simple advice to get the best out of my boat with its brand new sails?

They have tell tales. It is a ketch rig, it has a big masthead Genoa, with side cars. The main sheet has a traveller at the foot of the wheel pedestal. The boom has a kicking strap.

So what are the main adjustments to make that would have the biggest impact, when beating, reaching and running? From a cruising perspective, so to get a bit more speed/ point higher etc, without constant and continuous monitoring and trimming as if racing?

Thanks

 

[Moonbeam]

I'd recommend buying a book on sail handling... there are many out there. I liked Tom Cunliffes Complete Yachtmaster as it has a very good section on the basics of how sails work and how to trim/use them, plus you get all the other useful info in the rest of the book.

 

[johnalison]

The best way to learn is to sail with an expert. My sail trimming is basically cruising-based, but I don't like to underperform.
My general rules are:
Always have the sails out as far as they will go without flapping
Have the main as baggy as possible until the boat complains by getting unsteady on the helm
Err on the side of having too much slot when beating
Set the sails and see where the boat wants to go. If this isn't where you want to go, make the necessary changes
Don't pay any attention to tell-tales unless you have time to spare from enjoying yourself, with the exception of the top one on the main which should be flying

 

[Mataji]

I think Tom Cunliffe also did a book called Sail Trim. I think it was him, I am more confident about the title. I used to have a copy but gave it away to someone who needed it even more. It's only a small book (and relatively cheap), but covered exactly what you are looking for in a clear way.

 

[sniffyjenkins]

Tom Cunliffe's 'Complete Yachtmaster' is a fantastic book.

Also, maybe get a couple of days' training on your own boat. I've got a weekend of own boat training on Kite next weekend, very exciting, so it'll all be specific to me and my boat and her sails. Sounds like you might benefit from something similar.

 

[flaming]

Reading Pma Mcgowan's thread on do you sail got me thinking about this.

I realise it's a big complicated subject, but can anyone give me some basic simple advice to get the best out of my boat with its brand new sails?

They have tell tales. It is a ketch rig, it has a big masthead Genoa, with side cars. The main sheet has a traveller at the foot of the wheel pedestal. The boom has a kicking strap.

So what are the main adjustments to make that would have the biggest impact, when beating, reaching and running? From a cruising perspective, so to get a bit more speed/ point higher etc, without constant and continuous monitoring and trimming as if racing?

Thanks

Big subject!

Upwind, your trim should be more influenced by sea state than anything. When the sea is flat you can go for height, so close the slot by sheeting in the genoa and car in a position where all telltales are breaking together. And then main leach tight. You should have leach telltales. You want the top one just starting to break. Pulling leach tension on (more mainsheet) starts to kill it, letting mainsheet off allows it to fly. BUT... This all depends on if your hull shape can take the height your sails are giving you... I have sailed boats where the best upwind trim was actually quite eased as the hull simply couldn't grip the water well enough to sail that high. This requires trial and error.
If the sea is lumpy, then drop the genoa car back a fraction to open the slot slightly and ease the mainsail to keep that top telltale flying all the time. This sacrifices a bit of height but gives you more power to punch through the waves. It's a lot easier to drive to as well, so if under autopilot I normally default to this. Not sure how much use the mizzen is upwind, as it's just in the dirt of the main. I'd be thinking of using it more to affect the balance of the helm rather than the speed.

Reaching the key is a nice even slot. So car forward on the genoa so that all telltales break evenly then adjust kicker to match the shape of the main to the leach of the genoa. Try and match the shape of the mizzen to the main.

Running, if you're not flying a spinnaker just let the main out as far as it will go, pole out the genoa if you're able to and read a book.