I've been sailing Spirit 28 a year now and still don't know proper technique for raising and lower sail. My practice has been to raise the mainsail running with the wind, then sailing into the wind almost until the main luffs while raising the genoa, and lowering the genoa at the same angle, then loosing the boom while lowering the main. I get a lot of beating and flapping of the genoa while this is going on, and have got the sail wet (in the lake) more than once while lowering. The genoa is quite large, almost too much for a single person to handle alone. It's front edge has to be fed into a plastic sleeve as it is being winched up. Most times I sail with my daughter, who steers while I raise/lower sail. So please pardon me for asking such an elementary question, but if anyone has some practical suggestion for me it is most appreciated. PS I *just* put Rousmaniere's Annapolis Book of Seamanship on order.
How do I gracefully raise and lower sail?
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Sail Raising
The best and proper technique is to keep the motor running and head directly into the wind. Raise the main and cleat off. then head off of the wind and trim the main. Raise the Genoa and cleat off then winch in the sheets to proper trim. Turn off the motor and off you go! It may seem like the sails are luffing alot, but that's normal. The object is to do it as quickly as possible to prevent dammage to the sails.
The best and proper technique is to keep the motor running and head directly into the wind. Raise the main and cleat off. then head off of the wind and trim the main. Raise the Genoa and cleat off then winch in the sheets to proper trim. Turn off the motor and off you go! It may seem like the sails are luffing alot, but that's normal. The object is to do it as quickly as possible to prevent dammage to the sails.
Same way I do...
Head her up into the wind and raise the main. Drop the topping lift then fall off and set the main. I then reduce the power on the O/B but keep the screw truning just in case. I then raise the jib and set. After I get in the groove, I put the O/B in neutral for about 10 minutes. I have a narrow channel and motor boaters like to stall in the channel. Once clear of the channel the O/B is off and raised out of the water.
Head her up into the wind and raise the main. Drop the topping lift then fall off and set the main. I then reduce the power on the O/B but keep the screw truning just in case. I then raise the jib and set. After I get in the groove, I put the O/B in neutral for about 10 minutes. I have a narrow channel and motor boaters like to stall in the channel. Once clear of the channel the O/B is off and raised out of the water.
I'm Always a Little Different
We almost always raise the jib first. My boat just seems to sail better with only the jib, than it does with only the main. Plus, if I'm single-handing it, that has the sail furthest from the tiller done first. I have an autopilot, and that helps. Before that, I had a line I used to tie off the tiller (between to clam cleats). I head into the wind, and run the jib up (it's hanked on before I leave the dock). Depending on my mood that day, I may kill the motor and sail a close reach for a few minutes to get a little speed. If not, I just keep motoring into the wind. I then put up the main (while facing into the wind).
We almost always raise the jib first. My boat just seems to sail better with only the jib, than it does with only the main. Plus, if I'm single-handing it, that has the sail furthest from the tiller done first. I have an autopilot, and that helps. Before that, I had a line I used to tie off the tiller (between to clam cleats). I head into the wind, and run the jib up (it's hanked on before I leave the dock). Depending on my mood that day, I may kill the motor and sail a close reach for a few minutes to get a little speed. If not, I just keep motoring into the wind. I then put up the main (while facing into the wind).
Raising Headsail
You mentioned that you are having to feed the luff of the genoa into your plastic luff track - they make a fitting that you can use to make this a hands-free operation - at least from the standpoint of having to feed the sail into the track. The link below is for a "headsail pre-feeder" - essentially a guide that you secure 6-8 inches below the start of your luff track. When you bring the sail on deck, you feed the luff tape through the pre-feeder and into the luff track, up about 10 inches, with the halyard attached. Then when it becomes time to raise the sail, you simply pull up the halyard and the sail will nicely feed into the track. There are other variations - many less expensive. Another tip is once you have rigged the genoa on deck - while tied to the dock, secure it on deck by stretching a shock cord ("bungee") across the deck and then pushing the sail under the shock cord. The idea is to be able to pull up the halyard and pull back on the sheets, and have the genoa come free - not to have the shock cord trap the sail. This way you avoid having to go foward to launch the genoa. Good Luck and happy sailing! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
You mentioned that you are having to feed the luff of the genoa into your plastic luff track - they make a fitting that you can use to make this a hands-free operation - at least from the standpoint of having to feed the sail into the track. The link below is for a "headsail pre-feeder" - essentially a guide that you secure 6-8 inches below the start of your luff track. When you bring the sail on deck, you feed the luff tape through the pre-feeder and into the luff track, up about 10 inches, with the halyard attached. Then when it becomes time to raise the sail, you simply pull up the halyard and the sail will nicely feed into the track. There are other variations - many less expensive. Another tip is once you have rigged the genoa on deck - while tied to the dock, secure it on deck by stretching a shock cord ("bungee") across the deck and then pushing the sail under the shock cord. The idea is to be able to pull up the halyard and pull back on the sheets, and have the genoa come free - not to have the shock cord trap the sail. This way you avoid having to go foward to launch the genoa. Good Luck and happy sailing! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Tips
Its generally easier to raise the main first, heading straight into the wind. If you have a tiller & with motor on at a low speed, you can tie the tiller to the boom - as you raise sail, the sail will serve as a windvane to keep you head to wind. The tiller follows the boom and corrects any falling off of the wind. A peoperly tied topping lift can compensate for a rigid vang, or other expensive boom kickers. Adjust the topping lift whils close hauled and sheeted in tight so there is only a couple to a few inches of slack. That way the topping lift does not interfere with your sail trim, and the boom only falls a couple of extra inches when the sail comes down. Once set - you can just leave it. I'll leave the genoa for others - I've either had small jibs or roller furling & RF makes the job *LOTS* easier.
Consider the switch to RF, furling is a piece of cake and can be done on any point of sail. Also - while I am depleting your bank account and running up your credit card - a smaller headsail is easier as well! . Cheers, OldCat
Its generally easier to raise the main first, heading straight into the wind. If you have a tiller & with motor on at a low speed, you can tie the tiller to the boom - as you raise sail, the sail will serve as a windvane to keep you head to wind. The tiller follows the boom and corrects any falling off of the wind. A peoperly tied topping lift can compensate for a rigid vang, or other expensive boom kickers. Adjust the topping lift whils close hauled and sheeted in tight so there is only a couple to a few inches of slack. That way the topping lift does not interfere with your sail trim, and the boom only falls a couple of extra inches when the sail comes down. Once set - you can just leave it. I'll leave the genoa for others - I've either had small jibs or roller furling & RF makes the job *LOTS* easier.
Consider the switch to RF, furling is a piece of cake and can be done on any point of sail. Also - while I am depleting your bank account and running up your credit card - a smaller headsail is easier as well! . Cheers, OldCat
raising sail
The general rule for raising and lowering sails is that (a) you head up into the wind and (b) you raise the sail furthest from the wind (i.e. the main) first and then the genoa; when lowering sail you lower the jib first, then the main. Although there are many exceptions, like every rule, until you gain experience there are smoe pretty good safety reasons for doing it this way. If you don't "head up" (head into the wind) when you raise a sail, the boat will start moving and you could get into an awkward situation. If you raise the jib first the boat will tend to "fall off" (head away form the wind) and you may accidentally jibe. You also will put the least strain on the halyard, the sail track and other equipment and the person pulling on the halyard if the sail does not fill part way up. Rousmainere or any of the books will help. give you a step by step that should make it clear.
The general rule for raising and lowering sails is that (a) you head up into the wind and (b) you raise the sail furthest from the wind (i.e. the main) first and then the genoa; when lowering sail you lower the jib first, then the main. Although there are many exceptions, like every rule, until you gain experience there are smoe pretty good safety reasons for doing it this way. If you don't "head up" (head into the wind) when you raise a sail, the boat will start moving and you could get into an awkward situation. If you raise the jib first the boat will tend to "fall off" (head away form the wind) and you may accidentally jibe. You also will put the least strain on the halyard, the sail track and other equipment and the person pulling on the halyard if the sail does not fill part way up. Rousmainere or any of the books will help. give you a step by step that should make it clear.
Avoid luffing the Genny
Like everyone says, motor into the wind while you raise the main (I don't know how you raise it otherwise, particularly on a run when it would bind on the spreaders or shrouds!). When the main is up, we always set the sail close hauled and turn the motor off so you are now sailing on the main alone and not luffing except for a few seconds while it is going up. There may be other reasons for keeping the motor on after the main is set, but I have yet to see one. Then we hank the genny (since we don't have roller furling) while close hauled. I always pre-set the fairlead, wrap the sheet around the winch and cleat it off BEFORE hanking the headsail. That way, the sail fills and is fairly well trimmed while it is going up. I have never run into any problem hanking the headsail this way and there is no luffing. I see no reason to ever have that clew flailing around and causing havoc! Sometimes, if the wind is strong enough, the jib halyard may have to be tensioned while pinching into the wind with the sheet backed off slightly to reduce pressure. But I never like luffing that genny, the clew is dangerous!
Like everyone says, motor into the wind while you raise the main (I don't know how you raise it otherwise, particularly on a run when it would bind on the spreaders or shrouds!). When the main is up, we always set the sail close hauled and turn the motor off so you are now sailing on the main alone and not luffing except for a few seconds while it is going up. There may be other reasons for keeping the motor on after the main is set, but I have yet to see one. Then we hank the genny (since we don't have roller furling) while close hauled. I always pre-set the fairlead, wrap the sheet around the winch and cleat it off BEFORE hanking the headsail. That way, the sail fills and is fairly well trimmed while it is going up. I have never run into any problem hanking the headsail this way and there is no luffing. I see no reason to ever have that clew flailing around and causing havoc! Sometimes, if the wind is strong enough, the jib halyard may have to be tensioned while pinching into the wind with the sheet backed off slightly to reduce pressure. But I never like luffing that genny, the clew is dangerous!
raising the sails
I was taught to raise the main first then the jib. Most times, I raise my main at the dock, letting the boom swing free, if the boat is pointed generally towards the wind. When lowering, drop the jib first then deal with the main after turning into the wind. It is easier to lower the jib in the shadow of the main while going downwind. Simply stand near the mast, grab the foot of the sail and gather it in while your daughter controls the halyard (have her steer with the tiller between her knees). I suggest you rig a cord lattice system (fence) to your pulpit and lifelines back to the second stanchion to help keep the sail on deck. The problem with a luff track system is it's designed for racing and requires a crew forward to tend the sail going up and especially coming down. You should look into installing an inexpensive roller furling unit such as CDI produces to make your life easier. Or you could convert to hanks. I also suggest a "pre-feeder" mentioned previously. Finally, I'd keep the big racing genoa in the bag and use your working jib (blade) to feel more in control.
I was taught to raise the main first then the jib. Most times, I raise my main at the dock, letting the boom swing free, if the boat is pointed generally towards the wind. When lowering, drop the jib first then deal with the main after turning into the wind. It is easier to lower the jib in the shadow of the main while going downwind. Simply stand near the mast, grab the foot of the sail and gather it in while your daughter controls the halyard (have her steer with the tiller between her knees). I suggest you rig a cord lattice system (fence) to your pulpit and lifelines back to the second stanchion to help keep the sail on deck. The problem with a luff track system is it's designed for racing and requires a crew forward to tend the sail going up and especially coming down. You should look into installing an inexpensive roller furling unit such as CDI produces to make your life easier. Or you could convert to hanks. I also suggest a "pre-feeder" mentioned previously. Finally, I'd keep the big racing genoa in the bag and use your working jib (blade) to feel more in control.
Headsails with Luff Tapes
Raise the main while motoring into the wind; then bear off slightly with or without the engine. If you have the Genoa started in the prefeeder and into the luff groove, you should be able to hoist the largest genoa by hand most of the way, if not all the way up as long as you are still slightly luffing the Genoa. The prefeeder is a necessity to align the luff tape as it is hoisted. Without it you risk a tear unless someone manually fees it in. I use a spray teflon sail lubricant like McLube to make hoisting and lowering smoother and faster. Infact, if I spray lube the tapes, I can release the halyard and have the sail practically drop of it's own weight, as long as we are luffing at the drop. I have installed a wheel lock plus lacings on the foredeck life lines so I can single hand raise and lower the sails. Dropping the Genoa in increasing winds is the toughest move, best done with the engine idling in gear and th eGenoa just starting to luff. I release the halyard and go forward to pull down and flake the Genoa and can usually get it bungied to the life lines while the engine and sheeted in main keep the boat steady. That said, hanked on sails are more easily controlled on a drop.
Raise the main while motoring into the wind; then bear off slightly with or without the engine. If you have the Genoa started in the prefeeder and into the luff groove, you should be able to hoist the largest genoa by hand most of the way, if not all the way up as long as you are still slightly luffing the Genoa. The prefeeder is a necessity to align the luff tape as it is hoisted. Without it you risk a tear unless someone manually fees it in. I use a spray teflon sail lubricant like McLube to make hoisting and lowering smoother and faster. Infact, if I spray lube the tapes, I can release the halyard and have the sail practically drop of it's own weight, as long as we are luffing at the drop. I have installed a wheel lock plus lacings on the foredeck life lines so I can single hand raise and lower the sails. Dropping the Genoa in increasing winds is the toughest move, best done with the engine idling in gear and th eGenoa just starting to luff. I release the halyard and go forward to pull down and flake the Genoa and can usually get it bungied to the life lines while the engine and sheeted in main keep the boat steady. That said, hanked on sails are more easily controlled on a drop.
Put on a TUTU and BALLERINA shoes.
Just kidding. I don't think raising sails has to be graceful; sailing is graceful. I singlehand frequently and this is the way I do it. I may raise the main while tied at the dock if the direction of the wind is favorable. If not I will motor out into our cove and point the boat into the wind going very slow; lock the wheel and put the engine in neutral, loosen the main sheet and raise the sail. The boat will probably stall and vear a little from the direction of the wind but with the main sheet loose the sail will still think is pointed in to the wind. Get back behind the wheel and bring in the sheet and start mooving. You can engage the engine if needed to move quicker. We have furling headsails which are actually easier to deploy off the wind but a headsail which is hanked on can also be raised off the wind with a loose sheet to leeward. get uo to speed and turn the iron beast off. The reason I will place the engine in neutral is that under power the boat will have a tendency to turn to starboard before I can get the sail up. When taking sails down it depends on the strength of the wind. In over 15 knots I will poin the boat into the wind and roll the jib or genoa in and let the main flap. In lesser winds I will drop the main halyard lock the wheel and go up front and pull the main down by the slides. if you have lazy jacks no problem, if you dont, have your sail ties ready and start tiying them from the back of the boomm forward as the sail comes down. Then you can roll the furler as you loosen the sheet for the headsail. at this point have engine on so you can continue on course. When the wind is to your stern you can center the traveller, pull in your main sheet and let the main flutter a little while you release the halyard. Go up front and gnaw at them slides. When sailing with a hanked on jib I find that having a downhaul line going through a block at the bow works wonders for getting it down. Pull on the sheet so the sail will stay on deck and tie it to the toe rail. Hope this info helps. I think a very slow boat speed is the key when raising sails.
Just kidding. I don't think raising sails has to be graceful; sailing is graceful. I singlehand frequently and this is the way I do it. I may raise the main while tied at the dock if the direction of the wind is favorable. If not I will motor out into our cove and point the boat into the wind going very slow; lock the wheel and put the engine in neutral, loosen the main sheet and raise the sail. The boat will probably stall and vear a little from the direction of the wind but with the main sheet loose the sail will still think is pointed in to the wind. Get back behind the wheel and bring in the sheet and start mooving. You can engage the engine if needed to move quicker. We have furling headsails which are actually easier to deploy off the wind but a headsail which is hanked on can also be raised off the wind with a loose sheet to leeward. get uo to speed and turn the iron beast off. The reason I will place the engine in neutral is that under power the boat will have a tendency to turn to starboard before I can get the sail up. When taking sails down it depends on the strength of the wind. In over 15 knots I will poin the boat into the wind and roll the jib or genoa in and let the main flap. In lesser winds I will drop the main halyard lock the wheel and go up front and pull the main down by the slides. if you have lazy jacks no problem, if you dont, have your sail ties ready and start tiying them from the back of the boomm forward as the sail comes down. Then you can roll the furler as you loosen the sheet for the headsail. at this point have engine on so you can continue on course. When the wind is to your stern you can center the traveller, pull in your main sheet and let the main flutter a little while you release the halyard. Go up front and gnaw at them slides. When sailing with a hanked on jib I find that having a downhaul line going through a block at the bow works wonders for getting it down. Pull on the sheet so the sail will stay on deck and tie it to the toe rail. Hope this info helps. I think a very slow boat speed is the key when raising sails.
the british version
Make sure you lift your pinky finger! You could also play a bagpipe tune. THere are some good ones for raising and lowering a sail. White hats and lots of scrambled eggs on the brims, and ascots. Gotta have ascots.
Make sure you lift your pinky finger! You could also play a bagpipe tune. THere are some good ones for raising and lowering a sail. White hats and lots of scrambled eggs on the brims, and ascots. Gotta have ascots.
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