I've had my boat for 1 yr and have just got my new main. I thought I'd try to see how well it pointed (I've never really tried to do this before because I knew my main was somewhat used up). Now, I do have a traveller, but it doesn't have any lines attached to it so it is harder to adjust on the fly. I can adjust it after I tack but in heavier air this makes manuevering around in the cockpit dicey, especially when soloing.
On any given day, I tack through the wind and let the jib and main slack slightly more than when I was on the previous tack. Then after I complete the tack, I pull in the main. I realize that this isn't the most efficient way of tacking, but when there are others in the cockpit it is easier and kinder to avoid heeling too much by a gust or tacking too far.
Sooo, after tacking, the mainsheet reaches a point where it won't draw the main any closer to midline, jib sheet as well. So, I head upwind again to allow the main and jib to luff so I can tighten the main and jib sheets? Seems like if I were a pro I'd be able to tack slower and do this on the initial attempt, but I'm afraid it'd take too long. What are the pro's thoughts?
TIA
Brad
BTW. I can point 40-45 degrees to the wind per the compass.
On any given day, I tack through the wind and let the jib and main slack slightly more than when I was on the previous tack. Then after I complete the tack, I pull in the main. I realize that this isn't the most efficient way of tacking, but when there are others in the cockpit it is easier and kinder to avoid heeling too much by a gust or tacking too far.
Sooo, after tacking, the mainsheet reaches a point where it won't draw the main any closer to midline, jib sheet as well. So, I head upwind again to allow the main and jib to luff so I can tighten the main and jib sheets? Seems like if I were a pro I'd be able to tack slower and do this on the initial attempt, but I'm afraid it'd take too long. What are the pro's thoughts?
TIA
Brad
BTW. I can point 40-45 degrees to the wind per the compass.