outhaul

Posted By: Bob Frak
Date: 9/11/07 6:15p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Actually, Bob, thanks for asking. (Gary, Santana 2023A, Milwaukee)

Hello Gary It's hard to tell in your photo if there is a seem near the foot or if it's a wrinkle. A flattening shelf is sewn into the foot of the main sail(sort of a low flat pyramid shape)so that when the outhaul is tightened it totally disappears and the main becomes very flat when the outhaul is eased the draft becomes very deep. As far as outhaul setups go take a look at this site http://www.harken.com/rigtips/outhaul.php . I'm thinking of using something like the first one since I'm keeping the roller furling. The easiest way to remember sail shape is that your outhaul (main sail depth) is the same as flaps and slats on a jet. If you need power (lift, full flaps) fighting into swells, current or chop you need a loose outhaul for a deep draft. It's "slow" and not close winded but powerful. If your in flat water moderate wind and looking for speed and to be close winded then tighten up your outhaul to flatten the sail and go. A full sail (loose outhaul) is first and second gear. A flat sail (tight outhaul is third and fourth. Just the same as a car first and second accelerates well but has no top end and third and fourth goes like heck but take off is very slow. One way to compensate if your in third or fourth (flat sail)is to head off after a tack till your speed comes back then sheet in and head up.