H-216 Mainsail Trim - Centering the Boom???

[Ranger Paul18580]

Background: The H-216 has a fixed block for the jib trim and I have no traveler, that is, it is a standard "from the factory" rig. I have moved my jib block a little and I like the way the jib flies better. I only moved the block a small number of inches forward and outboard.In a light wind, I am pointing at 45 degrees, am not pinching, and the groove feels good. I have marked my jib sheets for the "optimum" position when pointing. This position actually has me falling off a little lower then I could point and running a little hotter...better VMG as per my GPS. I normally adjust the jib first then adjust the main so it flies best with all leech telltales flowing nicely and the sail shape looks good. When I do this, the boom is not down the center of the boat...rather it is more like 15-20 degrees off center to leeward. I have tried to center the main but it stalls. If I furl the jib as a test, I can center the boom over the boat and the main flies nicely. I see pictures in my sailing mags of boats running with the boom centered and I get the impression this is what the target is, but I simply cannot do it without stalling the main. Maybe you can only center the boom when running a Genoa?So, I am happy with my pointing angle and the sails seem to fly nicely...but the boom not being centered kind of bothers me.My questions:1. Is it common to point with the boom being to leeward instead of being centered over the boat?2. Can you center the boom only if you are running a large head sail?3. Is there something I should change in my trim settings?

 

[Don Guillette]

Centering the boom

Ranger Paul: Pinching or pointing as high as possable is not the best plan. When you pinch your sailing closer to your destination but your sailing slower than if you were sailing somewhere between pinching and footing. To illustrate, next time your out sailing pinch as high as you possably can and note your speed. Next, drop off a bit and let the boat settle down and then note your speed - it should be higher. Go down a little further and see what happens to your speed. Where that optimum point is as to where you get the highest speed depends on the type of boat you have. For some it is only a little but for others they have to go a bit further.Adjusting the jib first is the way to go.The reason you can point higher sailing with the main only is because you have eliminated the counter acting force of the jib.If I were you I would not change anything. The advantage you have is that you know what you are looking at from a sail trim standpoint and you have taken corrective action (moving the fairlead position). As I've mentioned before, when a mate can look at his sails and know instantly what sail trim adjustment action he has to take to get 100% efficiency, he HAS ARRIVED and is ahead of 75% of the sailors worldwide. How do I know that? Simple, I receive letters, Emails and I talk to a lot of them daily on the phone.