How to Know When to Trim Sails

When you finally get out there on the water, the last thing you want to do is spend all day trimming the sails. The easiest thing to do set yourself on a nice reach, tie down the jib and sit back and relax. If you are looking for a bit more performance, then trimming the sails is the job of the day.

The nice thing about sails is they tend to tell you when they need trimming. If they start flapping in the wind--known as luffing--then you know you either need to come up on the wind or haul in the jib sheet or mainsheet to tighten the sails. If the sails appear ready to explode because of the amount of wind in them, it is usually a sign it’s time to ease the sails out.

Of course, using the above techniques really only counts if the wind speed and direction remains constant. As any mariner can attest, the wind is rarely that kind. Little gusts, minute shifts in direction, islands, big rocks and even other boats can all combine to keep you busy easing or sheeting in lines. The trick is to know just when to trim sails. Using telltales--red and green nylon strips sewn to sails--is the best way to know when to trim

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sailboat
• Telltales
• Knowledge of sailing and sailing terminology

1. Let out the sails until they begin to luff once you establish your course. You will know the sail is luffing when it begins to shake. Once the sails begin to shake, sheet them until the shaking stops.

2. Look at the telltales. Normally telltales are red and green and fly from the aft pat of the sail (also known as the luff). If both streamers are flying horizontal, fully played out, the trim is correct.

3. If the windward streamer (the streamer on the same side of the sail from with the wind is coming) begins flapping, the sail is too far out. Sheet it in until the streamer flies properly.

4. If the leeward streamer flaps or flies high, the sail is in too much. Ease it out until the telltale flies properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep track of your telltales the same way you watch the rearview mirror when driving: Just glance up every five to seven seconds to how whether the telltales are flying properly.