OK, I’m finally getting far enough ahead of the curve on the basics
that I can start thinking about sail shape. I can see from the replies
to my post on the backstay that I’ve forgotten a lot over 20 years of
not sailing much except in gaffers.

We have an impressive amount of main backwinding despite a wide
headsail sheeting base on our boat. I haven’t been able to fiddle and
experiment much because we are still spending a lot of time short
tacking in confined waters with a lot of traffic and it’s hard to play
with sail controls when new helmskids are wandering all over the
place.

Our boat seems to go well with the 140 genoa just touching the
spreader tips and the foot along the lifelines. Is this too tight to
expect a smooth main? By the time the wind is strong enough that I
need to ease her in the puffs, the main is often completely depowered
and flogging, even with the traveler nearly amidships.

Is this the proper prescription for backwinding?

More stay and jib luff tension.

Genoa sheet leads farther aft to ease leech.

Main Cunningham (just added but not used yet)

Maximum vang tension to detwist main.

I’ve done some Googeling for "sail trim" but it sounds like there’s
much to be learned here.

BTW our E32 has a modified rudder so I don't know how the stock boats
behave but the handling of ours is superb. I've driven her down hard
and there is never a hint of the sails taking charge. She is a
delight to steer even when way overpowered.


--

Roger Long