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Main Sail Set – The Basics
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There are several different methods that can be used to judge where your main sail
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should be set. Here’s a fairly easy method that can be used on most boats as a basic rule.
But, before I get to the details let’s review the tools we have to control the main sail:




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Main Sheet
To Windward – Tighten the main
When going to windward the main sheet pulls down
sheet until the aft foot of the top
on the boom and thereby controls the ‘twist’ in the sail.
batten is parallel to boom.
When on a broad reach or running the main sheet is used to
position the boom in or out.
Traveler
The traveler moves the base of the main sheet across the
Batten angle
boat and thereby controls the position of the boom when
going to windward. The traveler generally is not used when
running or on a broad reach.
Boom Vang
Boom
The vang’s purpose is to pull down on the boom and
thereby control twist when running or on a broad reach. It
is generally not used when going to windward.
Outhaul
The outhaul is attached to the clew of the main sail and
is used to control draft or how dished the sail is front to
Main oversheeted – twisted in.
back.
Okay, so with these four tools here are some fairly easy
Batten angle
guidelines for setting your main in a light to moderate
breeze (we will discuss heavy air another time).
To Windward
Tighten the main sheet until the aft foot of the top batten
is parallel to boom. Try playing with this and you will see
Boom the sail twist, over-tighten and the batten will twist around
past parallel and point to windward. Ease up on the sheet
and the batten will twist off. If the wind speed changes the
sheet will need to be adjusted in order to maintain parallel
position. Once the main sheet is set, use the traveler to center
Main undersheeted – twisted off.
the boom in the middle of the boat. Now use the outhaul to
adjust the draft – in light air more draft and in heavier air
less draft.

Reaching
As you bear off onto a reach you will need to ease the
Batten angle
traveler (leave the sheet alone), but how far? The easiest
way is to first set the jib using the telltails and then ease
the traveler until the main just starts to luff. Then bring the
traveler back up until the luffing stops.
Running or Broad Reaching
As you bear off further you will eventually run out
of traveler, this is where the boom vang comes into play.
Tighten the vang and then start easing the main sheet until
the boom is perpendicular to the apparent wind. It also
Boom
helps to ease the outhaul so the main has some more dish
to it.
These guidelines are not perfect but they are easy to
apply and remember, and they will keep your main working
and looking good.
48° No r t h , Au g u s t 2009 PA g e 47
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