Recently I crewed for a race and observed the outhaul being played with. Please provide an explanation of why and when do we ease or tighten the outhaul. Would a cruising sailor be spending time with this adjustment? Comments
Outhaul Advice
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Outhaul flattens Mainsail
As evidenced by several questions below about "back-winded main:, another reason for trimming the outhaul is to flatten the main and de-power it some, especially in 18-25 kt winds. This would also help with weather helm since it will bring the power of the wind forward toward the mast.
As evidenced by several questions below about "back-winded main:, another reason for trimming the outhaul is to flatten the main and de-power it some, especially in 18-25 kt winds. This would also help with weather helm since it will bring the power of the wind forward toward the mast.
A couple of thoughts
When reaching or sailing upwind you can think of the outhaul as a "gear selector" - eased, it allows the mainsail to be fuller in its lower half. That's "low gear" - good for acceleration and powering through choppy water, but not able to give max efficiency once the boat is up to speed. Then, the outhaul should be tightened to flatten the sail, thus achieving a "higher gear". This will give the highest speed, least heel, and less weather-helm. Of course, outhaul position should be thought of as more flexible than 'all the way in' or 'all the way out' and as you develop a feel for it, its effect on the boat's feel and speed will become more apparent.
When reaching or sailing upwind you can think of the outhaul as a "gear selector" - eased, it allows the mainsail to be fuller in its lower half. That's "low gear" - good for acceleration and powering through choppy water, but not able to give max efficiency once the boat is up to speed. Then, the outhaul should be tightened to flatten the sail, thus achieving a "higher gear". This will give the highest speed, least heel, and less weather-helm. Of course, outhaul position should be thought of as more flexible than 'all the way in' or 'all the way out' and as you develop a feel for it, its effect on the boat's feel and speed will become more apparent.
Outhaul Advise
Paul: Bob and Rick are correct that the outhaul does flatten or belly out the sail but here is the rest of the story. The outhaul adjusts the bottom 2/3 of the sail but unfortuanately we still have the top 1/3 to contend with whenever we make an outhaul adjustment. The outhaul is used to adjust two things and they are DRAFT DEPTH and DRAFT POSITION. For a detailed discussion of those two elements you can refer to the archives. It is extremely important to understand draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack or nothing about sail trim will make any sense. To adjust DRAFT POSITION you use not only the outhaul but the boom vang, cunningham (or halyard), mainsheet and mast bend. Increasing pressure on those controls moves the DP forward and easing pressure moves the DP aft. To adjust DRAFT DEPTH you use the outhaul and mast bend. Increasing pressure reduces the belly and makes the sail flatter and decreasing pressure make the sail fuller. The problem with adjusting just the outhaul and ignoring the rest of the controls causes the sail to be confused and if it could talk the top 1/3 would say "hey, what about me". Actually, the sail does talk to you by way of the telltales. All sail trim adjustments have to made with a reason in mind. When I go on training sessions, the first question I ask the skipper "what are you trying to accomplish with the adjustment you just ordered" and "which way are you going to push or pull the control to accomplish what you desire". You should hear some of the answers I get at first but it does not take the skipper long to get with the program and subsequently their sail trim commands make a lot more sense.
Paul: Bob and Rick are correct that the outhaul does flatten or belly out the sail but here is the rest of the story. The outhaul adjusts the bottom 2/3 of the sail but unfortuanately we still have the top 1/3 to contend with whenever we make an outhaul adjustment. The outhaul is used to adjust two things and they are DRAFT DEPTH and DRAFT POSITION. For a detailed discussion of those two elements you can refer to the archives. It is extremely important to understand draft depth, draft position, twist and angle of attack or nothing about sail trim will make any sense. To adjust DRAFT POSITION you use not only the outhaul but the boom vang, cunningham (or halyard), mainsheet and mast bend. Increasing pressure on those controls moves the DP forward and easing pressure moves the DP aft. To adjust DRAFT DEPTH you use the outhaul and mast bend. Increasing pressure reduces the belly and makes the sail flatter and decreasing pressure make the sail fuller. The problem with adjusting just the outhaul and ignoring the rest of the controls causes the sail to be confused and if it could talk the top 1/3 would say "hey, what about me". Actually, the sail does talk to you by way of the telltales. All sail trim adjustments have to made with a reason in mind. When I go on training sessions, the first question I ask the skipper "what are you trying to accomplish with the adjustment you just ordered" and "which way are you going to push or pull the control to accomplish what you desire". You should hear some of the answers I get at first but it does not take the skipper long to get with the program and subsequently their sail trim commands make a lot more sense.
Racing vs Cruising sailor??
Paul, Your question about whether or not a 'cruising' sailor would want to adjust an outhaul runs to the very heart of the difference between racing and cruising sailors. First, let me say that there is no difference between sail adjustments for cruising and racing. Sail trim is sail trim, either it is right or wrong. As I see it, the difference is 'Do I want to make the adjustment?’ Typically racing sailors don't think twice about it. Sail shape is a constantly changing affair. Control lines are always on the move because conditions are always changing and therefore sail shape with them. For best speed, optimizing sail trim is the name of the game. Cruising sailors, on the other hand may not be interested in optimum performance and therefore not make the best sail trim choices. Some may decide that it’s just not worth the effort to make the changes whereas others simply don't know. Bottom line, all sail trim is the same. Knowing how and choosing when to make the adjustments is the difference.
Paul, Your question about whether or not a 'cruising' sailor would want to adjust an outhaul runs to the very heart of the difference between racing and cruising sailors. First, let me say that there is no difference between sail adjustments for cruising and racing. Sail trim is sail trim, either it is right or wrong. As I see it, the difference is 'Do I want to make the adjustment?’ Typically racing sailors don't think twice about it. Sail shape is a constantly changing affair. Control lines are always on the move because conditions are always changing and therefore sail shape with them. For best speed, optimizing sail trim is the name of the game. Cruising sailors, on the other hand may not be interested in optimum performance and therefore not make the best sail trim choices. Some may decide that it’s just not worth the effort to make the changes whereas others simply don't know. Bottom line, all sail trim is the same. Knowing how and choosing when to make the adjustments is the difference.
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