Light Air Sail Trim...

[Ducati]

I'm doing a bit better with sail trim however I still struggle when the winds go light.

Would appreciate some further suggestions as to what to tweak to keep our boat moving when the wind conditions are soft. Also, do I do anything different when there are residual waves/chop with light wind vs flat water and light wind.

Thanks

 

[CD60]

I'm doing a bit better with sail trim however I still struggle when the winds go light.

Would appreciate some further suggestions as to what to tweak to keep our boat moving when the wind conditions are soft. Also, do I do anything different when there are residual waves/chop with light wind vs flat water and light wind.

Thanks

I have found in lite air, (when in doubt ;-} let it out seems to be the best way)

 

[Jackdaw]

Induce some heel.
Keep the crew weight balanced; keep the butt out of the water.
Crew moment minimum; even sent below (dogs in the house)
Flatten the sails to keep flow attached.

Some times the 140 is TOO big; flow breaks. Go with your 110 if it is light enough. Maybe even just the main. Get a windseeker if you can.

(any) Boatspeed is the MOST important thing you have. Sail to where wind is, even if it means taking a knock. Your boats forward movement will create AW that will help keep you moving. Once you stop, you're dead.

In chop with light airs? bow down.

Make sure your prop has folded. If you just stop the motor while going slow, sometimes you will not develop enough water pressure to fold the flexofold back.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Ducati...

Upwind suggestions: flatten the main by tightening the outhaul. Open the leech on the jib and main. Don't sheet in the jib as tightly as in heavier air. Traveller up and center the boom over the cockpit. Put weight on the lee side to induce better sail shape with gravity. Don't make "crash" tacks--do smooth ones to maintain boat speed. Hold the jib until the "wind" brings it over.

 

[Joe]

I've had good results in light air under 5 kts with a wire luff, tall staysail.. that is normally used with a racing spinnaker. It is lightweight... 3.5 oz.. and the luff being unattached, and the shape relatively flat, high aspect, narrow..... allows it to fill easily and air stay attached. Let the luff sag off a bit. Speed is more important than pointing angle.

Light air sailing is a most challenging aspect or our sport..... do nothing to slow the boat down... no sharp turns, move crew weight forward to reduce the drag from the back of the boat, induce some heel to help the keep the sails full.. Off wind, use a preventer, or have a crew hold the boom out so it doesn't slat the main. A whisker pole on the headsail can help, also.

 

[Joe]

I've had good results in light air under 5 kts with a wire luff, tall staysail.. that is normally used with a racing spinnaker. It is lightweight... 3.5 oz.. and the luff being unattached, and the shape relatively flat, high aspect, narrow..... allows it to fill easily and air stay attached. Let the luff sag off a bit. Look around in the used sail venues and see if you can find one that might fit your boat. They're not that popular anymore with the preponderance of fractional rigs......

Light air sailing is a most challenging aspect or our sport..... do nothing to slow the boat down... no sharp turns, move crew weight forward to reduce the drag from the back of the boat, induce some heel to help the sails' ship.. Off wind, use a preventer, or have a crew hold the boom out so it doesn't slat the main. A whisker pole on the headsail can help, also.

Hmm...just read Jackdaw's comment..... looks like I repeated most of his suggestions... sorry, but hey, now we have consensus.