I get great questions from listers. I feel if one sailor has a question then other sailors might also. A lot of the questions may appear simple, on the surface, to answer but they are not. Here's the question that was asked:
"Mr. Guillette: I have a1988 Precision23 and would like to know does your SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE include trimming sails for the kind of boat I have (as you may know the Precision does not have a traveler for the mainsail, just a boom vang) and is your book illustrated showing the different sail shapes". **Note: very few people call me Mr. Guillette - makes me feel as old as I am!!
Here's my answer:
"The SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE starts out describing what I call the "the four elements of sail trim" and they are draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. Those 4 element are the ONLY things ALL the sail trim controls for the main and jib are adjusting. Unless a sailor has a complete understanding of draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack and knows which sail trim controls for the main and jib are used to adjust each element , sail trim will never make any sense. My book is like going to ground school to learn how to fly a plane. The ground school principles are the same whether you're flying a piper cub or a 747. All the sail trim controls for the main and jib are covered whether you have them or not. Sail trim is sail trim whether your sailing a dingy or a America Cup boat.
All the traveler is adjusting is the angle of attack. The traveler is the primary sail trim adjustment for angle of attack. The secondary sail trim control for the angle of attack after the traveler (in the event you don't have one) is the mainsheet. Unfortunately, the mainsheet is used to adjust other elements also so you have to careful as to how you use it but use it you must because you have no other choice. The SAIL TRIM CHART comes with a quick reference which outlines which sail trim controls for the main and jib that are used to adjust each of the 4 element and the reference tells you which way to push or pull each sail trim control to get the sail shape you are looking for. It also outline what elements the boom vang is adjusting".
Once a mate understands what all the sail trim controls for the main and jib are adjusting they are half way home from a sail trim standpoint.
"Mr. Guillette: I have a1988 Precision23 and would like to know does your SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE include trimming sails for the kind of boat I have (as you may know the Precision does not have a traveler for the mainsail, just a boom vang) and is your book illustrated showing the different sail shapes". **Note: very few people call me Mr. Guillette - makes me feel as old as I am!!
Here's my answer:
"The SAIL TRIM USERS GUIDE starts out describing what I call the "the four elements of sail trim" and they are draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack. Those 4 element are the ONLY things ALL the sail trim controls for the main and jib are adjusting. Unless a sailor has a complete understanding of draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack and knows which sail trim controls for the main and jib are used to adjust each element , sail trim will never make any sense. My book is like going to ground school to learn how to fly a plane. The ground school principles are the same whether you're flying a piper cub or a 747. All the sail trim controls for the main and jib are covered whether you have them or not. Sail trim is sail trim whether your sailing a dingy or a America Cup boat.
All the traveler is adjusting is the angle of attack. The traveler is the primary sail trim adjustment for angle of attack. The secondary sail trim control for the angle of attack after the traveler (in the event you don't have one) is the mainsheet. Unfortunately, the mainsheet is used to adjust other elements also so you have to careful as to how you use it but use it you must because you have no other choice. The SAIL TRIM CHART comes with a quick reference which outlines which sail trim controls for the main and jib that are used to adjust each of the 4 element and the reference tells you which way to push or pull each sail trim control to get the sail shape you are looking for. It also outline what elements the boom vang is adjusting".
Once a mate understands what all the sail trim controls for the main and jib are adjusting they are half way home from a sail trim standpoint.