CHAPTER 3 TIP


EMost sailors tighten the Cunningham to the point where the tension almost makes a vertical crease along the luff of the sail.


OUTHAUL: The outhaul pulls the sail out along the boom and controls the depth and location of the draft in a sail. More outhaul tension creates a flatter sail with a draft closer to the luff, which is better for pointing in very light or heavy wind conditions. Less outhaul tension creates a fuller sail with deep-draft power, which is better through waves or sailing in medium wind conditions.


If the boat needs more power to sail through waves, or if the boat can be sailed flat, consider loosening the outhaul for more power. If the sailing conditions have small waves or no waves, or you are not able to keep the boat flat by hiking, tighten the outhaul. At a minimum, when you are sailing upwind, put enough tension on the outhaul to remove any vertical wrinkles along the foot of the sail.


CUNNINGHAM/DOWNHAUL: Both the Cunningham and downhaul pull down on the forward edge of the mainsail or jib (the luff) and impact the location of the draft. The difference between the two is that a Cunningham (named after Briggs Cunningham, the inventor of the control) runs through grommets or webbing loops on the sail, while the downhaul is attached to a piece of hardware.


With both controls, pulling down on the luff of the mainsail creates a flatter sail. When you are having difficulty keeping your boat flat, increase Cunningham/downhaul tension. In light air, loosen the Cunningham/downhaul to shift the draft aft for more power.


On some boats, halyard tension is used to adjust the draft location instead of a Cunningham or downhaul.


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