Nav wrote:
Very close. The trim should be carried out automatically by the
trimmer(s).

You have automatic trimmers? I hope they are Linux machines for reliability.

... When/how do you head up?

Don't you know?


Yes. You keep the head slightly too high (due to the wind moving
forward) until boat speed drops to that expected for the wind conditions
and only then bear off slowly.

This is what's called a velocity header but it's a lot more noticable at
lower wind speeds.

... The key is to hit the polar spot on with
minimal drag inducing helm changes (i.e. it's OK to take helm off but
not to add it). Your immediate reduction in helm applied that results
from the reduction in pressure helps the coast carry too. Less able
skippers cause the boat to bear off immediately to follow the apparent
wind shift by not immediately easing the helm or even worse by adding
it. Sail trim happens as the boat comes back onto her polar.

A nice longwinded way of saying that if the wind drops suddenly, you'll
get a header into which you bear away slowly and gradually.

If the velocity header is a bad one, you should ease the jib to keep it
from slowing the boat down as it backwinds.


.... At that point I would want fuller sails for
more power and make adjustments accordingly--easing
the backstay for example.


Much better answers than Doug by the way. You can helm.

I knew you liked him better than me. And I said to ease the backstay,
you just weren't paying attention.

BTW do you not know what "feather" means when referring to steering?

DSK