On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 21:51:21 -0300, Terry Spragg
wrote:

Most new sailors take too long to master the art of controlling the
power their sails swallow from the wind. One suspects they don't
want to go out in the bay on a fine day and make a spectacle of
themselves, sailing in reverse while reefing, heaveing to 'till it's
second nature, and learn to balance their sails so they can steer
without using the tiller. Once learned, it is like riding a bike
while standing on your head on the saddle, easy as eating cannonball
pie.

Terry K

snipped for size Sterling advice on every point (learned personally
the hard way, alas), and I can tell it would be a pleasure to sail
with such a knowledgable and unflappable sailor as yourself.

The basics of sailing are well-known, but to get the most of your
boat, you have to go out in all weathers and tweak until you find both
the boat's sweet spots and the best order and methods by which you can
sail efficiently. I know some veteran sailors who really don't "get"
concepts like bagging out the foot, using the Cunningham or slacking
off a backstay on certain points of sail. The controls *do* make a
diference, and not only on the racecourse, but in better cruising.

R.