Unless I'm missing something I think Charlie was right. When I need to sheet in quickly I will head up to relieve pressure on the genny and pull the sheet in, then fall off. Don't like to do this very often or in high winds as it beats the crap out of the sail.
Ah. you guys mean LUFF. Which is to turn up momentarily. Heading up is changing direction, which would require MORE trim. Falling off will fill an under-trimmed sail.
lol Nope- head up- take wind out of sail, take pressure off sheet, haul it in and then fall back off
Heading up is a change of course. Luffing is a momentary action. Two different things, no matter what you think.
That's an interesting interpretation JD. I don't consider "Luff" to be a momentary action at all and can happen with or without a heading change. A header can cause you to luff without changing your direction. Heading up is a change in course but may or may not result in luffing, depending on sail trim. I do agree they are two different things but are often tied together in one action.
OK good discussion. Question, how long would you luff? Me, just seconds, to stall or avoid, or as you note trim after a shift. Heading up is a course change, like heading down. Its a combination of helm and trim change, held until you change course again.
Not sure I can make it that long
I suppose it depends on conditions and your objectives. Sometimes I'll luff for quite a while to reduce power in a puff or just to get to the mark because sometimes that's faster than stopping to reef. Of course, that's not really luffing, it's pinching. Hmm, maybe luffing is a momentary condition. Any more than 3 Mississippis and it's pinching
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