Dealing with sudden sustained gusts

[Jared]

Draft position and vang

Oops, I mispoke. I read back over the sail trim items you posted earlier and I was mistaken in that loosening the vang can have the effect of powering up by moving the draft position aft (not by increasing twist). One day, I hope to finally figure it all out... I need to read your book (on the water with boat in hand) I think.Goal for the weekend - no twist and everyone on the water jealous of how good the sail shape looks. Thanks.

 

[Don Guillette]

Sail Trim Learning Curve

Jared: My wife thinks I'm anal about sail trim but I really get off on it and I don't think there is anything more beautifull to see than a perfectly trimmed sail boat. I know where your at in trying to understand this sail trim stuff because I've been there. In fact, I was so frustrated with it when I got back into sailing that I almost gave up sailing. Everything you need to know to get you to the high intermediate level of sail trim is in my book "The Sail Trim Users Guide". The problem is that it is almost impossable to digest it all at once. You have to take it in pieces. In other words, you have to completely understand draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack first or nothing will make sense. Once you understand those 4 elements, then start with the controls on the mainsail. Take them one at a time. Push and pull them and watch what happens to the sail. After you finish with the main, then start on the jib. Same deal, mess with the controls one at a time.Once you digest how the controls work, then you can start on the settings for the main and jib. That is where my "Sail Trim Chart" come in. It will give you the settings for your point of sail and wind condition. If you devote as little as 1/2 hour each time you go sailing to a short practice session, you'll be amazed at how soon you won't need the book and chart anymore. Keep up the good fight. The lights will go on shortly.