"How" Sailing techniques: use the secret of plumage for a perfect sail fit

Still not sure how much to trim on your mainsail or headsail in the scopes? Or do you sometimes find yourself cruising too low or too high after turning? Use the secret “how-to” navigation technique to increase your power, speed and drivability.

Focus on the front third of each candle. This is where the wind first makes contact with the sail. If the wind changes or the corners are not right, the sail will luff or flap. Use the headsail or mainsail sheet to stop flapping – or “put it to sleep.”

Easy does it when trimming! You don’t want to stop the sail, because this causes your little sailboat to move more sideways than forward. Follow these steps to always get the correct sail setting.

*CLOSED TRANSPORTED

1. Position the headsail so that the leach is 1 “to 2” from the tip of the spreader. Bring the sailboat boom to the center line with the main sheet.

2. Head into the wind just enough until the luff begins to flap.

3. Drop enough to put the luff to sleep. This puts you right on the edge of the “forbidden” zone and you should see good acceleration.

*ACHIEVES

1. Adjust the boom leech to keep the mainsail leech under control.

2. Drop or steer to the desired range or bearing on the nav compass.

3. Stay steady. Look at each luff of sail. If it flutters, pull in (trim) the sheet enough to put the luff to sleep. If you don’t see any flapping, the sail may be stagnant. Loosen each blade until the luff begins to shake; then pull it out just enough to put it to sleep.

*IN A HURRY

Forget feathers when you run ahead of the wind. Instead, focus on these three speed boosters …

1 .. Facilitate the outhaul on the mainsail. This increases the draft (belly) in the lower third of the sail. Adjust the contra to keep the boom horizontal.

2. Extend the headsail with a pole to present the maximum area to the wind.

3. Ride with a light touch in light to moderate wind. Oversteer creates drag and slows the boat.

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These simple practical sailing tips will improve the performance of your small cruising or racing sailboat in any type of sailing climate. Use the secret of feathers to make faster passages when sailing, or beat the competition on race day!