How to Reduce Sails While Sailboating

The reason sailboats are powered forward is because of the interaction between the wind and the sails of your boat. The amount of sail area that should be exposed to the wind varies based on the strength, direction and overall variability of the wind. This means that the area of sail exposed to the wind must change with the wind. Reducing the sails is a technique sailors often use to respond to different wind conditions. Follow the steps below to ensure optimal function of your sailboat.

Instructions

1. Assess the situation to determine whether the sails should be reduced. In light wind conditions, sails must be larger to catch more wind. If your sails are luffing, (flopping around), try trimming them (pulling them back in slightly, toward the boat). However, if your sails are properly trimmed and set for your course, the following are indications that your sails should be reduced: Excessive heeling, so that a portion of the deck is being continuously exposed to or dragged through the water, the sailboat is hard to handle, or the sailboat is being over-powered by the wind.

2. Reduce the jib. If the boat has two sails, sailors often find it easy and practical to simply remove the jib. This is the sail at the front of the boat, and is relatively easy to reduce. If the sailboat has a roller furling, release the jib lines and, pulling quickly on the roller furling line, reel in the jib. If the sailboat does not have a roller furling, steer into the wind to establish a stable, even deck. Pull the jib down the forestay, disconnect the halyard from the top of the jib, securing it immediately. The jib can then be unclipped from the forestay and stowed below deck.

3. Reef the mainsail. While the area of the mainsail is reduced, it is called “reefing,” which basically means making your sail into a smaller triangle by lowering it slightly and securing the new head and base of the sail with your reefing equipment. Then the mainsail is raised again. If you have properly reefed your mainsail, it will be smaller. Make sure the sail has tension at the base and corners. Situations with extreme wind conditions may require multiple reefs in the mainsail.