My thinking is similar but with a slightly different reason and I think it depends on what problem you are trying to solve. Adding twist makes sense but mostly to reduce the heeling force at the top of the mast and thereby creating a more forward rather than lateral force. It seems to me that if excessive heeling is the problem then reefing is the answer. If the boat is reasonably flat but with lots of weather helm then de-powering the main is the answer. Wouldn't flattening the sail through out-haul and vang and or traveler/main sheet application to reduce the drive of the main be the first things to try? I am assuming that an over powered main could have the attack angle lowered a long way before luffing was an issue and somewhere on that journey the balance should be back into the sail plan so the weather helm is reduced.
Agreed, I think the outhaul adjustment had already been mentioned with regard to draft depth, but I didn't recall any discussion of twist. I'm always conscious about outhaul as well (and first, usually, too). I tend to set outhaul (on each point of course) for general conditions and leave it alone. When sailing upwind, I'm always affecting twist with my mainsheet in variable conditions. When sailing downwind, I generally establish twist with the vang and don't play that setting very much. I think that I'm different from many in that I don't like to drop my traveler when sailing upwind.
I set the sail twist first through the use of the main sheet and then simply use the traveler to set the main sheet on each tack. this is really easy with the traveler on the arch of the Hunter, I just wish they had done it with a continuous line since the lazy end can get all balled up preventing full range if you don't pull in the slack when dropping the traveler.
Well, that does work, except that it limits your options, I think, because the vang is then limiting twist. When sailing upwind, I think I am more effective spilling excess wind in gusts with angle of attack AND twist, which I can do simply by easing the main when the vang is off. If you want to adjust angle of attack, say for wind shifts or puffs and lulls (changing apparent wind), but you want twist controlled, then move your traveler up or down accordingly.
I think some boats are set up where it is easier to adjust traveler, rather than main sail sheet. I have my traveler set up with controls but I still find main sheet adjustments easier and more effective, so I tend to use my main sheet continuously.
I think the mast is just a bit too far forward for a near hull speed run on Hunter models XX0.
Friday night we went out for a little sail to dispense with the stresses of the week and since we had thunder heads in the area and no place we had to be I just unfurled the jib and left the main down in case we got some big gusts. When the big gusts came (15-20 knots), we saw over 6 knots with a high of 6.33 knots with a pretty balanced helm just flying the jib. She wouldn't point very well but I was amazed at the speed and balance. I expected a lot of lee helm but the lack of it made me wonder how much weather helm I may be unconsciously experiencing with the main up. Next time I have both sails up and get a heavy wind condition I am going to check the water flow out the stern to see if it looks like the rudder is fighting the flow and costing me speed. I think getting anything over 6 knots on our fat 29'er is getting close to hull speed but maybe there is more there yet!
