SB20 Autumn Race Reflections

Jib sail:

Different trim for high mode and low mode. High mode will have jib in tighter, low mode will have jib looser.

Mainsail:

Downhaul tight when sailing upwind for flatter sail shape in higher apparent wind.

Downhaul looser (vang tight enough to maintain boom horizontal) when sailing downwind for fuller sail to catch more air.

Outhaul controls depth in lower third of mainsail. Ease to add depth and power. Tension to flatten and depower. Upwind should have outhaul tight and downwind should have outhaul loose.

Vang takes over job of pulling down on mainsail clew and controlling twist when boom is eased out for downwind. Use to keep boom horizontal. Vang eased - more twist. Vang tight - less twist. When wind increases, leech will open. Vang on to close leech and reduce "air leak". When going downwind, pull the vang to keep top batten parallel with boom.

When going upwind, vang kept simply snug (not tensioned) in light to moderate conditions because sail twist will be controlled using mainsheet for best trim. In strong winds, vang can be used together with mainsheet to pull boom down and maintain leech tension. Use vang to maintain top batten parallel to boom.

Spinnaker:

Sheet out until luff folds in a little bit, but doesn't collapse. Hold that position. Luff of spinnaker over the bow approximately 20°, tilted over to the other side from vertical. (ie total angle around 90+20=110°).

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