Outhaul Adjustments

[Peter Milne]

I had my main sail on our 430 loose footed last Spring and for the first time I have been tempted to adust the outhaul.However, it is virtually impossible to adjust when the sail is hardened and even difficult when it is luffing.Should I be able to adjust it when the sail is hard and if so should I have a winch or other form of leverage installed on/in the boom?Any ideas/comments?ThanksPeter MilneS/V Blue Heron

 

[Ron Barrow]

Outhaul Adjustment

Peter: We have in-boom purchase of 3:1 for the outhaul and it is led aft to the cabintop winch. I have heard of others with twice as much purchase so that adjustment is easier. As with any sail trim, an easier adjustment will result in a more precisely tuned sail. It is very difficult to trim the outhaul when the sail is loaded in moderate to heavy air, but the adjustment is manditory if you want to achieve maximum performance and comfort from the rig. That is why many lead the outhaul control line through a sheet stopper to the cabintop winch. In heavy air the outhaul along with increased halyard and/or cunningham, boom vang, and mainsheet tension combine to depower the main sail. The result is a sail that pushes the boat forward rather than sideways. Good luck, Rons/v: Counterpoint H 33.5