trimming sails - do you just lash 'em up?

[[2574]]

trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

I'm reading about trimming sails. All very technical - twist, draft, leech & luff tension, mast bend, angle of incidence, backwinding, slot management, stalling, CLR, COE etc etc etc.........................

So, do you cruising yachtsmen do all this stuff or do you just lash the sails up 'bout right and then crack open the chilled chablis and get the R4 long wave ball by ball commentary on?

 

[Peppermint]

Re: We fall into two broad categories

Tweakers & non-tweakers.

I'm a tweaker and I fiddle until either I get it right or the Chablis comes out.

Non-tweakers can be identified by the flapping leach and the missing top batten. Often their vang is swinging. Strangely they often go just as fast as tweakers.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Re: We fall into two broad categories

A motor boat is more modern technology! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

Re: We fall into two broad categories

Yes, tweaker here!

Drive SWMBO round the bend, she won't take the helm now, as soon as she does I'll be fiddling with the sheets, halyards, backstay tensioner etc.

 

[Achillesheel]

Re: We fall into two broad categories

I guess Tweakers are ex-dinghy sailors where the odd tweak can make a lot of difference, chablis drinkers have gone straight to a yacht.

 

[Eightball]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

hi well mate heres one who whent through all that crap and dident like it much you only need to get it how you like it i fined my bout go s just as good with itjust pulled on nice. other day i blew my head sail to bits when tacking all i had on board at time to use was my 6.5 windsurfing sail i stuck that up. and we went along very nicelyso just do wat suits you happy sailing dave

 

[starboard]

Re: We fall into two broad categories

Would agree with that...having started on dinghies 40 years ago I find old habits die hard. However now with all the cruising miles I do I just tend to sit back with autopilot on....that is until another boat appears on the horizon...then its all out to try and catch!!!!...once a racer always a racer.

Paul.

 

[Sybarite]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

A real sailor doesn't need to get into all this hi-tech gobbledegook. He just knows when it's set right by the look of it.

John

 

[30boat]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

Now that I have my new laminated genoa I'm definitely a tweaker.Wouldn't bother much with the old bag that was there before.Can't wait for the new main to go with it.

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

First mistake - put that book down NOW!

When you've been sailing you boat a while, you will know & feel when the sails are set right. It's a process - you will get to know the boat. This constant tweaking will drive you (and your crew) round the bend. Why take the "land stress" onto the water? Are you in a hurry? If yes, buy a Mobo. You will get there faster - if the engine doesn't break down, you don't get dirty fuel, etc...

I must confess, I too have a book on sail tuning - brand new apart from the first 15 pages. Wanted to turn what I did naturally and for fun into science and work.

Reminds me of something I said to Mrs Yanita when she was expecting our first. She'd also been "reading" and was worried about all sorts. "Put that book down woman, last year the dog had eight and she can't even read". Slept on the couch for two days, but it did put an end to all that nonsense.

 

[[2574]]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

Excellent! - book already shredded and I've orderd another case of Chablis to store in the bookcase!

 

[Sea Devil]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

There are 3 positions for sails on a cruising boat
Fully in
half out
fully out......

 

[Cornishman]

Re: Wagnerian Concept?

Did Der Fliegende Hollander have one of those, then?

 

[Cornishman]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

Damn! Pity you shredded the book 'cos I was going to ask if there was a chapter on how to adjust the slot between a fisherman's stays'l and the main tops'l on a gaff schooner. I never could get it quite right!

 

[[2574]]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

[ QUOTE ]
between a fisherman's stays'l and the main tops'l on a gaff schooner.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that:

a) rude
b) swahili
c) Urdu

Please advise!

rob

 

[Cornishman]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

For someone who has registered his boat's location as Bermudan Sloop I am not surprised you need to ask.

' Tis proper rig language for those who use 4-sided sails, better known as gaffers. Try one sometime - you will be pleasantly surprised at the power they generate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[[2574]]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

one step at a time - i'm learning the change from 460hp to three sided sails - that's plenty at the moment. And I've amended my biop details - i hope you prefer it now!

rob

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Re: Wagnerian Concept?

If the vliegende Hollander would have had a motorboat, he would not have to sail eternally, he would just start the engine and go to the local marine to have a beer! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Cornishman]

Re: Fliegende Hollander

Guess he hadn't reached Day Skipper level then, or he would have been able to trim his sails in order to enter harbour and pick up a mooring under sail.

 

[rhinorhino]

Re: trimming sails - do you just lash \'em up?

Best quote on the subject - "If you must tweak something - adjust the lazy sheet"