I have been racing my 41 for over a year now and I am not getting the full potential out of the boat. I am slow down wind and, relatively speaking, up wind in heavy air. Can anyone give me some hints on sail trim for the in mast furling main on this boat. Thanks.
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dmdorey: Here's the problem. Space would not permit a good answer to your problem so lets go to the basics. There are 8 primary sail trim controls for the mainsail (some boats have less than 8). They are the traveler, mainsheet, outhaul, cunningham, boom vang, mast bend and leech cord. I could throw in another one, which is not a sail trim control, and that is crew position. These controls are like a car carb, with 8 jets. Just as with the car engine, all the jets have to work together. For every point of sail and wind condition there is a particular setting for each of these controls. If you only have some of the controls set properly the rest are working against you.
That takes care of the mainsail. Now, to further complicate things, we have to factor in the jib sail trim controls. They have their settings for each point of sail and wind condition. The jib and the mainsail have to mirror each other.
Before you can start messing with the sail trim controls you have to have an understanding of draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. Without a complete understanding of those terms sail trim will never make any sense.
Pop on over to the SAIL TRIM FORUM and print off the section on downwind sailing. Unfortunately, there is not a lot written about sailing downwind. When I was racing I could always pick off one or two boats on that leg. Fortunately for me that leg was when most crews broke out the beer and sandwiches - that's when I went to work. Some times I was able to hold that lead to the finish and sometimes not.
That takes care of the mainsail. Now, to further complicate things, we have to factor in the jib sail trim controls. They have their settings for each point of sail and wind condition. The jib and the mainsail have to mirror each other.
Before you can start messing with the sail trim controls you have to have an understanding of draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. Without a complete understanding of those terms sail trim will never make any sense.
Pop on over to the SAIL TRIM FORUM and print off the section on downwind sailing. Unfortunately, there is not a lot written about sailing downwind. When I was racing I could always pick off one or two boats on that leg. Fortunately for me that leg was when most crews broke out the beer and sandwiches - that's when I went to work. Some times I was able to hold that lead to the finish and sometimes not.
Still looking for hints...
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I understand this is an in-depth technical question with a lot of variables. However, we can throw out mast bend and a cunningham, I have an in-mast roller furling main with 120 degree swept back spreaders. This is a 7/8 fractional rig with a 110 head sail. I was hoping someone might have some experience with a set up like this and be able to give me some of their secrets. Maybe just some things to try.
Re: Still looking for hints...
dmdory: I can solve your problem!! Take a look at my SAIL TRIM CHART. This chart provides the general settings for all the sail trim for your main and jib for every point of sail and wind conditions. The charts contain a bunch of other important info such as the step by step method you should use to set your sails. If all else fails there is even a problem/solutions section. Additionally, I provide with each sail trim chart a QUICK REFERENCE CHART which tells you which sail trim control for the main and jib to push or pull to set draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. If you are not familiar with those terms sail trim will never make any sense. I can solve that problem too. Buy my book THE SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE.
Here's the deal - if you use my chart in your next race and don't move up 2 positions I'll refund your money and you can keep the chart!!
dmdory: I can solve your problem!! Take a look at my SAIL TRIM CHART. This chart provides the general settings for all the sail trim for your main and jib for every point of sail and wind conditions. The charts contain a bunch of other important info such as the step by step method you should use to set your sails. If all else fails there is even a problem/solutions section. Additionally, I provide with each sail trim chart a QUICK REFERENCE CHART which tells you which sail trim control for the main and jib to push or pull to set draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. If you are not familiar with those terms sail trim will never make any sense. I can solve that problem too. Buy my book THE SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE.
Here's the deal - if you use my chart in your next race and don't move up 2 positions I'll refund your money and you can keep the chart!!
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