Are you getting the most out of your boat? Duncan Wells shows you how
a little knowledge can go a long way when you’re heading to windward
Ef ortless
sail power
N
umerous volumes have been
written on the subject of sail trim.
For some it’s an obsession,
for others, an afterthought.
Even if you never intend
to race your yacht, a grasp of the principles
of sail trim is something you can apply to
any boat you step on board. Apply these
to a yacht you sail regularly and you’ll find
quiet satisfaction in exploiting the true
potential of the boat as it rewards you
for your efforts. To a cruiser, sailing
faster equates to sailing further and
the possibility of new cruising grounds.For the purposes of this article, we will concentrate
on sailing to windward. Modern yachts, particularly
monohulls, do this very well. With a good set
of sails, a well-set-up rig and some time spent
practising trimming, you’ll find you are able
to make big gains in terms of the angles you
can sail. However, modern yachts are also
easily overpowered. The crux of modern
sail trim is understanding how to balance
your sails and the power they generate
with the resistance of your keel. The end
product of a well-trimmed yacht is one
that’s a pleasure to sail, easy on the helm
and faster through the water.Not just for racers.
Improving performance
means covering more milesEXPERT
ON BOARD
Duncan Wells is
principal of Westview
Sailing, author of
Stress-free Sailing
and creator of
MOBlifesavers.com