Trim For Control “Proper Sail Trim is all about balance. All boats will go faster, be more comfortable to sail and will handle more easily when sailing on their lines.”

The Goals Upwind:VMG Offwind: Maximizing Power At All Times: Controlling Heel u HEADSAIL TRIM & CONTROLS u MAINSAIL TRIM & CONTROLS

Optimum VMG =

the upwind problem

Sail Depth = Power = Heel

Headsail: primary controls u Genoa/Jib Sheet u Lead Position u Halyard Tension u Backstay

Sheet Tension

jib sheet tension

why do we need to adjust sail trim

telltales and trim / driving

Halyard Tension

Lead Position u Use tell-tales to set initial lead position u Move lead aft to flatten bottom and twist off top - this will depower the sail u Move lead forward to increase power in sail

Power Control: headstay sag u Adjusting backstay is primary control of headstay sag u Light air - a little sag is often good u Heavy air - too much sag will hurt the boats ability to go to weather and cause excessive heel

The Mainsail u Main Sheet u Traveller u Vang u Halyard Tension u Cunningham u Preventer u Backstay u Outhaul

mainsheet

mainsheet rule of thumb

twist for control

Why do we need to control twist

mainsheet off the wind

Vang u controls twist off the wind

traveler

Luff Tension u Cunningham u Halyard Tension

Mainsail Depth u Outhaul - Controls depth in lower third u Backstay - Controls depth in middle/top

Three Modes of Trim

Reefing / the clew

reefing / the tack

Putting it All Together

and more…