Ease the Boom to Raise the Main

[theway]

Does anyone do this to prevent having to point into the wind. I have been doing it quite often even though I am relatively new to sailing.

If I just have the head sail flying and want to add the main because of a wind shift or wind speeds slow, I will ease the main sheet and let the boom fly out so that the apparent wind is head on with the boom, then I can raise the main without having to turn the whole boat into the wind.

I havent seen or read anything about this so im not sure if it is nifty or hazardous in some way.

Any thoughts, pros or cons, modifications?


austin

[boatman61]

No worries mate... I do that all the time if the winds frwd of the beam... I also do that to reef down...
Its when the winds aft of 3 and 9 you get problems...lol

[aquarian]

I do it often. It is how I was taught to adjust sail, and I have never had a problem caused by it. It lets me make adjustments without loosing momentum or steerage.

[Sailmonkey]

Sure, all the time. Within reason. I'll assume you're easing the mainsheet when easing the boom.

[wolfenzee]

if you have wind in your jib it will steady the boat more than just heading dead into the wind. Though usually you raise the main first with roller furling jibs you can open a jib up first and work on a much more stable platform when raising the main.

[simonmd]

I was taught that the SAIL should be into the wind, not the boat specificaly. So, if it's ahead of either beam then I don't see why not.

[capn_billl]

Thanks guys. I'm beginning sailer myself. I can see when this will be very usefull.

[Bash]

You probably mean "ease the mainsheet" rather than "ease the boom." If this is the case, the procedure you describe is actually a fairly common method used to adjust the mainsail, regardless of whether the intent is to flatten the sail, reef it, or increase tension to the luff or the foot.

While racers would almost invariably opt for this procedure, cruisers often take a different approach. First, come to a close reach. Second, tack, but don't release the jib, and keep the boat on a pinched course. Now, once the boat slows down on the new tack, ease the main and do whatever you need to do to adjust it. Three, trim the main in and then release the jib. Finally, once the boat comes up to speed, tack back to the origninal course.

Using this latter procedure, you will have added a minute or two to your passage, but you will have accomplished your objective in a much safer/saner manner.

[SkiprJohn]

What Bash said is good. You could also heave to using the jib if you are alone and then raise or adjust your main at your leisure. To heave to just do as Bash says and once the boat is nearly at a standstill then put your tiller hard alee and tie it off. If your boom has a downhaul don't forget to ease it before you raise your main and readjust once the main is up.
Aren't experiments with sails fun?
kind regards,

[Hydra]

I use this method very often, especially when leaving an anchorage: without a windlass, it is much easier to raise the anchor before hoisting the sails. When the anchor is at the bow roller, the boat bears away and I hoist the jib. I wait until I am clear of other boats before hoisting the main.

Also note that the same concept works for lowering sails: it is convenient to sail on a close reach, ease the main and lower it, before entering the harbor with only the jib.

Alain

[perchance]

How does one keep the sail out of the water? If I read this right the boom is allowed to swing to leeward by easing the main sheet and then hoist the main.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by perchance

How does one keep the sail out of the water? If I read this right the boom is allowed to swing to leeward by easing the main sheet and then hoist the main.

Thats where the topping lift comes in handy...

[simonmd]

Originally Posted by perchance

How does one keep the sail out of the water? If I read this right the boom is allowed to swing to leeward by easing the main sheet and then hoist the main.

If the boom is into the wind (as it should be) and you have lazyjacks then there would be no problem.

[perchance]

Oh yea. Except I don't have one.

[bruce smith]

Pick up on the topping lift AND ease the mainsheet.
It is a correct way of doin ' it.