MAIN SAIL FOOT:
- is trimmed normally. Light wind when tacking, light curve. Downwind, big curve. Medium
air tacking, flat bottom. And downwind, large curve. Hard wind tacking, flat bottom, and
downwind also flat bottom. But – honestly, we normally never trim the foot – main sheet
and preventer is however very important. Only – normal keep a curve of 5-6 cm on the foot.
MAIN SAIL LUFF TENSION:
In light wind, you set the main luff only to avoid "wrinkles" in the sail, which has the effect
that you easier can help the main when tacking so that the battens are turned right for the
new tack. Luff tension also gives more curve and deeper shape in the mainsail.
In medium air the main halyard is only tightened so much that the wrinkles in the sail are
gone and the luff straight.
In heavy wind the main halyard is tightened hard to flatten the sail at the same time you pull
hard in the main sheet.
If, for example, you are anchoring or beaching for a short time with the mainsail up, then
loosen the luff tension in the sail to quieten the boat.
GENNAKER SAILING:
Sailing with the gennaker is a "third" dimension in sailing which a lot of people dread caused
by bad experiences. On a trimaran gennaker sailing is fun and a comfortable adventure. A
trimaran is not heeling from one side to the other (rolling), and the gennaker pole is non-
existent. With a little practice, you can actually handle the gennaker alone, but always
handle it with respect!! If you respect the gennaker and use it with reason, it is great – also
when cruising.
If the gennaker has been damp or wet from sailing, it should be dried before packing. Or, if
it is not too wet, leave it in the cabin spread out to dry.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR SAILING WITH GENNEKER – always make sure you have
enough leeway and space on your leeward side – so you have enough space to bear away if
stronger wind is coming and giving you enough space to bear away to get the gennaker down
again – a simple but very important rule that must be respected.
Therefore, also be careful if you just try to get around a mark or a land “corner” or even
another boat – make sure you have space to bear off the wind.
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