I dunno, but I'm willing to try anything! I can always take them off later.

So are you now against having mainsheets on the boat? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So which did he want you to do?! Sheet or trim?! Oy vey!

Oh Sheet!

Ok somewhat related rookie question, we did the spinnaker thing on a NACRA 5.8 last year and been having a blast with it, or should I say it has put a whole new aspect on sailing a catamaran, and were getting pretty proficient at operating and pushing it; however, I still have a questions regarding the mechanics as to how this sail is working. My hypothesis is that the spinnaker (chute, Kite, big headsail, etc) is actually working like a parachute that is filling with air and pulling the boat to the point where it creates its own apparent wind to drive the main therefore accelerating the boat to the point that it causes the collapse of the spinnaker due to too much apparent wind.

We have been sailing the boat using this cycle; however, keeping ahead of the curve (collapsing the spinnaker) with “heating it up sheeting in – driving off filling out”

Any suggestion on improving this theory or method?

The "apparent wind" doesn't change for each sail. ( Apparent Wind Calculator )(I just read that webpage, ignore when they say anything about the wind being "forward", it is wrong!)

When there are multiple wings(spinnaker, jib, main) working close to each other, they work together and each one effects the airflow over the other wings(spinnaker, jib, main).

This is what causes the main to need to be trimmed in closer to the centreline than the spinnaker, not the apparent wind.

Just thought we should clear that up first.

Otherwise, you've got the idea, except that you should drive deeper as you accelerate and round up when you decelerate (That's because of the apparent wind.), constantly trimming the sails (spinnaker mostly) to keep them operating efficiently and providing maximum drive.

ncik,

I read the article also.

Are you sure you understand what they are referring to when they state 'forward' of the true wind, as in reaching?

I think it means that as your boat speed increases on a reach, so does the apparent wind, allowing you to sheet tighter, b/c the apparent wind is 'ahead' of the true wind.


Off the tangent, I feel that when the luff curls very much, it is like putting a 30-45 sq/ft 'brake' on the front of the sail. Having sailed on monoslugs with kites, like many others here have, the luff curl is more appropriate, b/c the rig is moving much slower, hence less apparent wind potential. On a cat, the luff should just begin any curl at all, then either bear off a bit, or trim, sometimes both.

Oh, what would Charlie Ogletree say?

Charlie, you there?