[quote=MN3][quote=turbohobo]I get it, with the sail rigged loose-foot, you are able to curve the sail more by easing off on both the downhaul and outhaul, more so than on the fixed-foot sail, but without knowledge of airflow properties, it don't mean squat. I don't know if more curve to the sail is better than less curve, or under what circumstances, ie, more curve on more wind, or less curve on less wind, or vica versa. That is why I said that one would reach a level in sailing which could only be overcome with more knowledge, knowledge gained from a more experienced sailor.
I guess one could educate oneself using the internet...........!
:urg:[/quote]
Typically, the SIMPLE rule of thumb is, the harder it blows, the tighter she goes
this means as the wind picks up, you want a tighter downhaul, tighter outhaul, restricted rotation, and more mainsheet to flatten the sail (upwind). U will probably need to travel out a little bit or you will capsize with a tighter main.. but if you have ever sailed with a loose main in heavy air... you know that your sail will not behave .. it will invert, flop, pop, fart and burp... never good sounds or sights on a boat. This is even more dramatic on less stable boats (mono's) and inverted sails can lead to inverting masts.... never fun to see and bad things can happen...(snap)
again, the SIMPLE idea is that in lighter air... you want a bigger pocket shape to your sail.
Technically, this will create a more powerful low pressure zone and increase the speed of the air behind your sail (due to the curve in the leeward side of the sail).
completely irrelevant but true is the fact that this low pressure actually sucks you forward, you are not being pushed upwind... but being sucked :) sounds dirty and i like it that way :~p
Downwind is a different creature... typically.. you will want to be traveled out downwind regardless of wind speed, and your down and out haul loose... if you have rotation control... you want to let it rotate all the way. Downwind you are being pushed by the sails, so you want a big pocket in both light and heavy air... however you will want to downhaul to open the top and let some wind/power bleed off if your are overpowered.<!-- editby --><em>Edited by MN3 on Dec 18, 2010 - 07:23 PM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
