advice - main sheet and setting sail

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Bill P.

I have always hardend the main sheet when raising or lowering the main - taught that way. As I am usually single handing, I am away from the wheel while doing so, especially when flaking the main when lowering (obviously). Problem is that boat can fall off and make things a bit messy at times. Thought occurred that if I left so slack in the main sheet & boom vang, then the sail would be able to luff more/longer. What process do you all use? Fair winds!
 
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David Foster

Ease the sheet

and the main goes up much easier, and doesn't move the boat around while we raise it. Then we sheet in and take off. David Lady Lillie
 
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Ken

Main Sheet

I have a Catalina 27TR I sail solo often. The method I use is to keep the topping lift pulled tight, which keeps the boom up over my head and the main sheet is keep tight also, this keeps the boom from flopping around. I raise the main, then slack off on the topping lift and tighten/set the main sheet. This method I have found to be very controlable and easy for me to do by myself. I hope this helps.
 
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Tom Monroe

variation on ease the sheet

Slight variation on the "ease the sheet" concept ... Raising: Topping lift holding up the boom, sheet running free, use the last of my momentum to turn up into the wind, raise main quickly, fall off and set sheet/tiller to hold a broad reach (say, 75-80%), ease topping lift. The boat will balance easily there, and then I deal w/the jib. Lowering: Get boat balanced on a broad reach again, set topping lift to hold boom, drop jib, drop main. THEN, I'll harden up the sheet to control the boom swinging around. So main sheet is "eased" but not totally free. Vang off throughout. If things are calm enough, I'll just let the boat lie broadside to wind/waves while I furl the main. Otherwise, I just throw a sail tie around what I can get at, and clean up in the harbor. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
 
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