Adjusting My Sail

[Melody Miller]

Hello People:My neighbor at the marina noted some deficiencies in the way my mainsail is rigged. I don't have a boom vang, or a way to adjust the outhaul or the topping lift. Therefore, I don't have a way to make some of the finer adjustments suggested in this forum ( see my post on apparent wind)Are these items pretty necessary or can I get along without them for awhile?I also don't have a traveler but rather a single large block in the floor of the cockpit. I don't know if that really makes a difference though.ThanksMelody

 

[Michael McCann]

Fine sail controls

Melody:Are you sailing a small boat, or a large one? Smaller boats are more responsive to adjustments to the mainsail. A boom vang can be used as a traveler to control mainsail twist at all points of sail, not just broad reaching or running. You should also have an adjustment for foot tension (adjustable outhaul), especially for when the wind speed increases. These controls need to be easily adjustable when you need to apply them, 'not at the dock'.

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Who's to say?

I mean, if it works for you for now, why change? If you WANT to make upgrades, great! If you're hesitant for some reason (maybe expense, maybe time, whatever), live with it. Who cares? If you're having fun, that's all that matters. Later, when you're ready, you may just have a better idea of what kind of adjustment you need.I have a friend who has the UGLIEST Buccaneer EVER and he sails that baby every day! Right next to his poorly rigged, nasty pile o' junk he has a beautiful brand new Catalina that rarely leaves the dock. Who has the better boat? I guess the guy who uses it.I read a story in Cruising World once about this poor homeless guy who had, literally, $1000 to his name so he bought this old hunk a junk boat with it. No sails, nothin. He bought a blue tarp and SAILED TO FLORIDA from New England!!! Point is: Whatever works for you.LaDonna

 

[Douglas Young]

Sail shape and speed

If you are happy just puttering around then stay as you are. If you want to make your boat point to windward better and sail a bit faster then upgrade it as your pocket book alows. The boom vang is used to keep your boom from raising upwards as you ease out the main sheet. By doing this the sail will stay flater and not billow out and spill air when it is swung out away from the centerline of the boat. To tention the leading edge of the sail that is against the mast you need a small device called a cunningham. Its realy just a small pulley attached to the bottom of the boom right next to the mast. You pull the cord down and cleat it off on the mast. The line should be tight for higher wind conditions and looser for light air. These controld realy do make a differance. Putting in a traveler for your main sheet would be the third thing to do but isnt as important and would be the more expensive of the three. I would recomend you go to your local library and check out a book on sailing and sail trim. Best of luck . Just remember you can still sail and enjoy yourself without all the gadgets but its fun to play with new toys as you learn.

 

[Melody Miller]

Thanks All

Hi Doug,LaDonna, and Mike:Thanks for your input. I think at a minimum I will install a boom vang. I can really tell when the boom raises up and thought it just looked funny. I'm having fun with my boat (27 ft) just the way it is. However, the gentlemen I sometimes sail with seem very concerned about how fast we go.Also, a couple people at the marina would like to do an overnite. That would be about 3 boats and I don't want to be the slow one.Thanks dudes and dudette!Melody

 

[cat. sail 6310]

noisey neighbor

ha mel  snap that thong and tell your neighbor it work for me . and rigging is  not the cheepest thing in the toy store (rig shop) so unless he plans to be a suger daddy. tell the marina manager to tell him to bug off or give you a slip away from this guy. sail 6310