12-13-2006
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Thanks Courtney.
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: IL
Posts: 3,881
Rep Power: 8
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Christy- First of all there were no quotes presented that were out of context, which you would know since you read the article. They were presented as "snippets" to provide timely documentary evidence for my point and to prevent the need to re-type the entire article. Additonally, I used it to provide a (very current) resource to help answer some of RAYs questions. It was NOT done to be offensive, merely an effort to point out that the technique that seems to works for you should not be construed as a blanket practice. (As you noted with your different techniques on 2 different boats.) One problem with what you are proposing is that while you are spilling some air from the leach up high when you ease the main sheet and "twist off" the top, you are adding more shape to the rest of the mainsail and counteracting your efforts higher up the mast. That's why a fractionally rigged boat would use the backstay adjuster instead of just using your idea everytime. ( I don't know what type of rig is on the boat Ray describes.) If while keeping the sheet tight you cannot depower the main suffeciently using the traveler, then you probably need to take in a reef.
"Choking off the slot" does not unbalance the rig, it decreases the sails effeicency which is precisely what you are trying to do when you are trying to depower. And while "choking off the slot" may not be considered "good sail trim" I would consider it good seamanship when talking about an unknown boat, with a rookie crew in need of maintaining control of their vessel when hit with conditions they had not prepared for.
Again, not intended to be offensive, just a different opinion.
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