| Sailing isn't just about steering the boat and hauling | | | | tightening the outhaul. |
| on the sheets, you have to know a little about | | | | Moderate Winds: |
| controlling the shape of the sail. Thankfully, the | | | | Straighten the mast and loosen the outhaul. This |
| basic rules are pretty simple. Controlling the shape | | | | will deepen the draft of the sail. Apply a little |
| of the sail to suit prevailing wind and wave states | | | | downhaul to bring the draft forward slightly to |
| will help you sail faster in any conditions without | | | | 40%-45%. Draft needs to be manageable, if you |
| capsizing. | | | | have a light crew then you will require flatter sails |
| This article is more a "what to do" than a "why | | | | than a heavier crew in the gusts. In very choppy |
| you do it", and for the sake of simplicity we will | | | | waters, more draft may be required to power |
| stick to discussing common main sail controls. | | | | through wave resistance. |
| Light Winds: | | | | Strong Winds: |
| Very light winds require a flatter sail with the | | | | Strong winds require a flat mainsail to reduce drag |
| draft carried at 45%-50% aft so that the air can | | | | and heeling moment. Tighten up the outhaul and |
| flow smoothly over the sail without stalling. Heeling | | | | pre-bend the mast if necessary. Pull the downhaul |
| the boat to leeward will help by using gravity to | | | | on harder to bring the maximum draft further |
| maintain the camber of the sail. Sit forward to | | | | forward. |
| reduce hull drag by lifting the transom clear of the | | | | These are the basic rules of controlling sail shape |
| water. | | | | to suit wind and wave conditions. |
| Sails can be flattened by bending the mast and | | | | |