Trimming for Speed. To win a sailboat race you must sail fast and smart. When you have a speed advantage, tactical decisions are easier.
To be fast you have to work at it, your rig needs to be tuned, the hull needs to be fair and smooth and the sails set and trimmed efficiently. By no means less important is...
Most sailors know that modern sails perform much like an aeroplane wing and that's the way sails work to windward.
Because of the way that a sail is curved, and because of the angle of attack when trimmed properly, the air passing over the leeward side speeds up in comparison to the air passing over the windward side.
It is the...
A Checklist For Successful Trimming
Trimming sails is a challenging crew position that requires knowledge and experience. The trimmer also needs the ability to work with the rest of the crew.
The goal of The Trimmer
The goal of the trimmer is to get the boat to perform at peak efficiency and to use that speed to outsail the competition. A good...
Use your jib telltales - these give clues to your boat’s sail trim in different conditions. Nothing is more reliable or true than these yarns or fabric strips as a guide to good sail trim.
FREE CHAMPIONSHIP SAILING GLOVES
What the telltales tell us.
Both telltales flowing, known as full flow is good when underpowered. When your windward telltales are dancing, this...
Sail Trim Rules of Thumb by good friend David Dellenbaugh www.speedandsmarts.com
One objective when you're out sailing is to trim your sails efficiently so you get the best performance from your boat. To do this, it's helpful to have some quick, dependable sail trim references. These will give you maximum performance with a minimum of effort.
SAILING TO WIN BOOK &...
The elements of Sail Trim. On a sail boat, one of the key people in the team is the sail trimmer. They take responsibility for optimizing sail performance.
Sail Trim
Power from your sails comes from three sources: Angle, shape, and twist.
Angle - Pull the sail in to add power and ease the sail out and to reduce power.
Shape - deeper...
Sail Trim Fundamentals - small adjustments to the shape of the sail can make the difference between being able to hang in a tight spot and being spat out the back.
FREE PDF - 49 SAILING TIPS
The Basics Of Sail Trim
1. Get it Up -
There is almost always more breeze the higher up you get. Hoist Mainsails as high as...
Excerpts from an interview with highly accomplished Dinghy through to Maxi Yacht sailor and North Sails sailmaker Michael Coxon who answers your questions regarding sail controls and their effects.
BOOK and Bonuses
Brett: Michael, could you explain the effects of the major sail shape controls.
Michael: the most important sail control for any boat, is the sheet tension. That's the most significant...
