| Do you want to learn how to sail a boat with | | | | the other side of the boat. |
| more power and speed from your Genoa or jib | | | | Match the Block Position to the Sailing Winds |
| sail? Get ready to become the sailing skipper who | | | | * Light Wind Sail Trim (winds 0 to 5 knots) |
| makes the fastest passages or blows the | | | | Put more power into your headsail with more |
| competition out of the water on race day! | | | | leech tension. Move both blocks one or two holes |
| If you haven't pre-marked each headsail block | | | | forward. Take care not to cup the leech. Check |
| position, you're missing out on one of sailing's best | | | | your speed after each headsail block change. If |
| kept secrets. Racing sailboat crews not only "play | | | | your cruising sailboat decelerates, return to the |
| the sheets", but play the blocks too. Headsail | | | | neutral position and try again. Once you have |
| shape depends on the right amount of tension on | | | | things right, your boat will accelerate with the |
| all three sides. Your headsail halyard controls the | | | | speed and grace of a thoroughbred. |
| headsail luff, but each headsail sheet must work | | | | * Medium Wind Sail Trim (winds 6 to 12 knots) |
| overtime to tension the leech and foot. | | | | Most small sailboats begin to sail well at around six |
| Three Steps to Find the Neutral Block Position | | | | knots of wind. Place equal amounts of tension on |
| All sail trim begins from a neutral lead block | | | | the leech and foot. Set both headsail blocks at the |
| position. First, locate the halfway point along your | | | | neutral position. Your small sailboat should turn in |
| headsail luff. Mark this point with bright colored | | | | her best performance in these sailing winds. |
| tape. Hoist the headsail to the top of the sailboat | | | | * Heavy Wind Sail Trim (winds 13 knots or more) |
| mast. With roller furling headsails, unfurl the sail | | | | As winds increase, you need to flatten the sail to |
| and estimate the halfway point by eye. Follow | | | | decrease heeling and weather helm. Move both |
| these three steps for all headsails: | | | | blocks one or two holes aft to place more tension |
| 1. Sight up the leeward sheet, from the block, | | | | on the foot. When you can steer the boat with |
| through the clew and up to the luff halfway point. | | | | fingertip pressure, she's balanced to perfection! |
| 2. Move the headsail block until you can form an | | | | Make headsail sheet block positions a key element |
| imaginary line to point straight at the luff halfway | | | | in your everyday sail trim. Use these tips to boost |
| point. | | | | your sailing skipper skills to the next level on your |
| 3. Mark this with a "G" on your Genoa track (or | | | | small cruising or racing sailboat. |
| "J" for jib). Make a similar mark on the track on | | | | |