[quote=rattlenhum][quote]The spring loaded pin things on the jib traveler is confusing me. I really don't understand the thinking behind those things, are they supposed to be a sort of preset or limiter to how much travel the jib can have? Why not set the things as far wide as possible and leave them there, when cleated off, the jib would stay put right?[/quote]
As a starting point (there are always exceptions), you travel the jib (and main) all the way in for upwind, all the way out for downwind (broad reach), and somewhere in between for closer to a beam reach. This, along with proper sheet trim, evens the flow over the entire sail, indicated by the upper and lower telltales flowing properly at the same time (or luffing at the same time if you sail too high or stalling at the same time if you sail too low). If you're in higher winds and feeling overpowered (constantly having to sheet out to keep the boat down), travelling out will spill some wind but still let you sheet in so that your sail is flatter (less powered up). Once balanced, you can go faster and without as much heel.
It's all in Rick Whites "Catamaran Racing for the 90s", which is somewhat of a misnomer since much of the book is about boat handling and trim.[/quote]
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