Jib Leech Line Question

[Tony Carlisle]

My wife and I went sailng this afternoon in very light (read: almost nonexistent) wind. I was able to keep the boat gently moving by using basic light wind sail technique. Would tightening up on the jib leech line(s)have helped "bag" the jib to better catch what little wind was present? Or, is the leech line solely used during high wind sailing to keep the jibsail leech from chattering? I've read a lot about sail trim techniques in books and on various sites on the internet, but I've not seen the subject of leech line tension discussed in any detail. Ok, Yall....what should I have done, if anything, with the jib leech line? Tony CarlisleJackson, Mississippi

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Sail Trim Forum

Hi Tony -This might be a good question for our esteemed Don Guillette in the Sail Trim forum, but I'll take a crack at an answer. First off, if you were wondering while you were sailing, why not give'er a tug just to see what happens? The best way to learn is to experiment. My initial thought is that you were probably doing better by leaving the leech line alone. I would expect you'd stall the jib by adding more curve and bagging to the sail, thereby disrupting air flow. But I'd have to head out in light and try it to know for sure!I'm sure there will be some other ideas on this... Always learning,Trevor

 

[Dan]

Light air

When the air is really light, I hoist the drifter and get what I can out of it. I think tightening the leech on the jib would not help too much. Moving the jib lead cars a bit forward might help. On the main, ease the outhaul, ease the cunningham, and even ease the halyard if it's too tight. Then ease the backstay if it's adjustable. Lastly, ease the jib halyard a bit. You probably already know all this.

 

[Tim]

Weight distribution

Don't forget that shifting some crew weight to the lee side can also help the sails "hang" in a more natural position to take advantage of what wind there is. Less wind energy needs to then be expended moving the sails to their appropriate shape before they start providing you benefit.You suggested that tightening the leach line might induce more bag to "catch" wind - remember that unless you are sailing dead downwind, the objective isn't to "catch" wind, rather to present the sails in such a manner as to have the wind move as smoothly as possible across both sides of the sails - and for the full extent of sail as well.