I have a quick question on the use of the out haul line of the main sail. What is best for the main sail: Set the out haul tension at the beginning of the sailing season and leave it tensioned through out the entire season OR leave the line, and main sail, without tension when not in use. I am really trying to keep my main sail in as good a shape as possible.
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Doesn't make any difference
Loosen it for light air, and tight for heavy wind. Otherwise, you are not stretching it if it is tight.
Loosen it for light air, and tight for heavy wind. Otherwise, you are not stretching it if it is tight.
Outhaul
The outhaul is a trim control. It is used to adjust draft when sailing. Take the tension off when the sail is dropped and stored.
The outhaul is a trim control. It is used to adjust draft when sailing. Take the tension off when the sail is dropped and stored.
Sail Shape
My H260 is a 'family safe' boat. The general purpose main, stable hull, and limited sail trim hardware do not resemble anything found on a high performance boat. I've seen no difference in speed when slacking the outhaul for light winds. That's why I set it once when I bend the sail on at the start of the season.
My H260 is a 'family safe' boat. The general purpose main, stable hull, and limited sail trim hardware do not resemble anything found on a high performance boat. I've seen no difference in speed when slacking the outhaul for light winds. That's why I set it once when I bend the sail on at the start of the season.
I leave my outhaul loose when not sailing
In light air, I set the outhaul loose. In winds above about 5, I put tension on the outhaul. When the boat gets back to the dock, we let the tension off of the outhaul. I believe the sail will be more likely to keep it's design shape if the outhaul is not under tension when it does not need to be.
In light air, I set the outhaul loose. In winds above about 5, I put tension on the outhaul. When the boat gets back to the dock, we let the tension off of the outhaul. I believe the sail will be more likely to keep it's design shape if the outhaul is not under tension when it does not need to be.
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