This weekend while sailing in very strong wind conditions I noticed that the leech on my main was making a clicking sound and I considered letting the pressure off the topping lift as I do when the main is unreefed. Do most of you keep some pressure on the topping lift when reefed or do you let the sail hold the boom? I've tried letting the pressure off before, but it seems to put a great deal of pressure on the ties around the boom. I have also seen many people using only their jib in high wind. I'm new to sailing but have read that this is not a good idea. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.
Topping Lift While Reefed
- Thread starter Brent4763
- Start date
- Status
Let sail support boom, loosen ties...
The topping lift should not be supporting the boom in heavy air, it is adding draft to the sail just when you want to flatten it out. Let the sail support the boom, and if you have one, tighten down on the boom vang to flatten the sail more. The tack and clew should be taking the load of the sail (just like your jib). The reefing ties along the foot of the mainsail are there only to hold the rolled foot of the sail up out of your way. They are not intended to take any of the load for attaching the sail to the boom. Fair winds, Tom
The topping lift should not be supporting the boom in heavy air, it is adding draft to the sail just when you want to flatten it out. Let the sail support the boom, and if you have one, tighten down on the boom vang to flatten the sail more. The tack and clew should be taking the load of the sail (just like your jib). The reefing ties along the foot of the mainsail are there only to hold the rolled foot of the sail up out of your way. They are not intended to take any of the load for attaching the sail to the boom. Fair winds, Tom
Sailing on the Jib
A lot of people sail downwind with just a jib or genoa. However, the boat is not as well balanced upwind with just the headsail flying. I've learned that the H260 sails very well upwind in highwinds with just the stock headsail. So when I get tired of fighting the winds, instead of reefing, I sometimes drop the main and take a break with just the jib flying. The boat sails about 1 mph slower, but the quiet ride makes up for the lack of trim. If you want to bury the rail and get a little more speed, you can always reef the main and sail with both.
A lot of people sail downwind with just a jib or genoa. However, the boat is not as well balanced upwind with just the headsail flying. I've learned that the H260 sails very well upwind in highwinds with just the stock headsail. So when I get tired of fighting the winds, instead of reefing, I sometimes drop the main and take a break with just the jib flying. The boat sails about 1 mph slower, but the quiet ride makes up for the lack of trim. If you want to bury the rail and get a little more speed, you can always reef the main and sail with both.
- Status