Mainsail Trim Close Hauled

There are at least 8 adjustments used in controlling the shape and angle of attack on your mainsail. Here is a quick reference guide to trimming your mainsail for upwind performance in medium to light winds.

1. Traveler – controls the angle of attack
a) If your sail is overpowered – drop traveler
b) If you’re underpowered – raise the traveler

2. Mainsheet – Controls the twist and the angle of attack

To Set The Twist of the Mainsail
a) Sail close-hauled and position the traveler so that the boom is near center of boat
Trim mainsheet so that the top batten is parallel to the boom.
If the top telltale curls, ease sheet
c) Ease traveler down- If the top telltale breaks first, trim in the mainsheet.
If the bottom telltales break first, ease the mainsheet out.
d) Pull traveler up to obtain slight weather helm

3. Halyard – Tighten to get draft 50%

4. Outhaul – Tighten when sailing upwind and/or in heavy wind

5. Cunningham- Tighten to move the draft forward

6. Boom Vang – Tighten to reduce twist (more power)

7. Mast bend (backstay) – Tighten to flatten sail when in heavy winds and/or close-hauled

8. Leech cord – upwind tighten to stop flutter on reach/run. Tighten to prevent top batten from twisting off.