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Sail Handling
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Fall is on its way and stronger the cars back and tighten the sheet. and add a little power, then motor. The
winds are likely to come with it. So this Note, this is the same action used to advantage here is the ability to make
month we will discuss sail handling twist off the jib, the effect is a flatter sail good progress and do so with only one
in a blow, which I define as winds of at the bottom and a twisted off top. The person handling the boat.
greater than 20 knots but less than same can be true for the main, easing
40 knots (storm conditions require a the sheet and tightening the outhaul The first three techniques, traveler
different set of tactics). Some boats may will flatten the bottom and twist off the down, twisting off and reducing draft
be a bit more tender and require some top. are useful when the boat is slightly
of these techniques starting around 15 Reduce Sail – Reducing sail area is over-powered. But they are not a
knots. probably the best method for handling substitute for reducing sail, which is
The tools we have to work with heavy air but it usually requires more the mainstay of handling heavy winds.
are basically the same ones we have time and effort when compared to the Matching your sail area to the wind
used when adjusting the main and previous techniques. It can come in speed is critical. A properly set up boat
jib – sheets, traveler, cars, etc. We are several forms: reefing the main, furling should be no harder to sail in 30 knots
going to be dealing with some of the some of the jib (or changing headsails), of wind than it is in 15 knots of wind
same affects on the sails, like twist and even to the point of completely dowsing – however, there may be a tad more
draft, but we will be using them in (taking down) one of the sails. spray coming over the dodger so have
different ways which will help the boat If you have a jib larger than a 135, your raingear on.
and crew deal with the stronger winds. (refers to percent of area formed by the
In addition, we will look at some new triangle of the mast, forestay and base
techniques (i.e. reefing) to get new of forestay to mast) start by reducing An important safety factor is having
results (i.e. reduced sail area). the jib. If your jib is smaller than a 135, an idea of what winds to expect. Read
Here are the basic techniques, listed reef the main first. With a 135, try both “Watch your Weather: Getting Reports
in order of easiest to setup to hardest: and see which one works better on on Your VHF” which appeared in
your boat. When the winds get strong 48° North, July 2009, on our website at
Traveler Down – Easing the main enough to warrant dowsing one of the 48north.com
traveler to leeward is an easy and quick sails, I would suggest dropping the
way to “spill” some wind but it will main first. Most modern cruising boats
only work when sailing to weather. sail well on jib alone, in addition you
Channel WX1 Seattle Area or
Doing so will reduce heel and weather can point higher with the jib than you
Vancouver, Canada
helm. can with the main. However, some boats
Channel WX2 The Gulf Islands
Twist Off – Twisting off can be will handle better under mainsail only,
Channel WX3 South Sound and
done to both the main and jib and so try both out in moderate conditions
Olympia Area or
doing so will depower the top of the and see which one the boat likes best.
Victoria
sails. Since the top of the sails have the
Channel WX4 San Juan Islands
largest leverage on the boat, twisting Additional Techniques:
Channel WX7 Port Townsend
them off will reduce heel more than it
Channel WX8 Vancouver Island
will depower the boat, although both Feathering – This is a technique
will happen. Again, this only works of spilling some air by sailing the boat
when sailing to weather. slightly to windward from normal; in
To twist off the main, ease the essence, luffing a little. While effective, Mike Huston owns a computer
sheet and pull traveler back up a bit if it takes an experienced hand on the consulting company in the Seattle area
desired. To twist off the jib, move the wheel and a lot of concentration. and teaches sailing part-time for San
cars back, usually all the way back, and Where this can be of the most help is in Juan Sailing in Bellingham, WA. He has
tighten the sheet slightly. gusty winds – feather during the gusts been sailing for over 40 years, many of
Reduce Draft – Flattening the sails to control weather helm and heel. them spent racing. He and his wife own a
will reduce their power which can help Motorsail – The idea here is to Jeanneau 43DS, “Illuminé.”
reduce weather helm. On the mainsail, reduce sail area substantially, leaving
tighten the outhaul. On the jib, move up just enough sail to steady the boat
48° No r t h , oc t o b e r 2009 Pa g e 25
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