My sails have a thin little lines on the leeches that can be tensioned or eased. What are they for? I haven't seen any mention of such a thing in sail trim discussions.
Lines on the Main and Genoa Leech
- Thread starter tomgrigsby
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They are....
leach lines of course.
You use them to stop that last bit of flutter from the leach. They help prolong the life of the sail more than anything else.
leach lines of course.
You use them to stop that last bit of flutter from the leach. They help prolong the life of the sail more than anything else.
There are called 'leech tension lines' or 'leech lines'.
Their purpose is to prevent the leech from 'fluttering' or vibrating. Such vibrations will quickly 'fatigue' the fabric and stitching of the leech leading to 'premature destruction'.
They are especially important to control leech flutter between the battens (typically between the 'topmost' batten and #2 on the mainsail).
How to adjust: LOOSEN the leech line until the leech 'just begins' to vibrate, then tighten 'slightly' beyond the tension that 'stops' the flutter/vibration.
How to recognize that a leech line is too tight: The seam/fold along the leech will NOT be smooth and NOT be parallel to normal airstream flow, it may be 'hooked up' to weather (severely 'curved' leech).
Their purpose is to prevent the leech from 'fluttering' or vibrating. Such vibrations will quickly 'fatigue' the fabric and stitching of the leech leading to 'premature destruction'.
They are especially important to control leech flutter between the battens (typically between the 'topmost' batten and #2 on the mainsail).
How to adjust: LOOSEN the leech line until the leech 'just begins' to vibrate, then tighten 'slightly' beyond the tension that 'stops' the flutter/vibration.
How to recognize that a leech line is too tight: The seam/fold along the leech will NOT be smooth and NOT be parallel to normal airstream flow, it may be 'hooked up' to weather (severely 'curved' leech).
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