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sailorscotty · 06-11-2017, 15:15

Hi All, I'm only relatively new to sailing and whilst there are many articles on sail trimming I haven't been able to find a simple table that provides guidance on settings for different conditions. I know that time on water is the best way to learn but if the community could help me with this i'm sure it will help. Thanks in advance for contributions cheers Scott.

link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzSPCiVwi8NBbkNKNTM4NWFObUU/view?usp=sharing

thinwater · 06-11-2017, 15:22

Any good book on racing will do ya. Many authors have worked hard to present this.

Do you have a specific question?

sailorscotty · 06-11-2017, 15:33

Thanks mate, I've read quite a few books but when I'm out on the water it would be great to be able to have a quick matrix to look up the required settings rather than navigate through a book. I put a link to the draft matrix that i put together taking into account wind ranges and point of sail:

or

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzS...ew?usp=sharing

thanks again cheers Scott.

scotty c-m · 06-11-2017, 15:37

Look up sail trim on your search engine. LOTS of good guides. One by Ian Shorts has a table like the one you are asking for:

http://ianshortsails.com.au/sail-trim/

By the way - He's also an Ausie!!

sailorscotty · 06-11-2017, 15:55

Yes thanks i started with that one but he has no information for running, or settings for sail shape, main sheet, luff/cunningham, outhaul etc etc. cheers Scott.

Sailmonkey · 06-11-2017, 16:13

Unless you can find an owners organization for your particular boat you may be out of luck.

Any suggestions given here may no work for your particular rig configuration or sail suite.

My suggestion is get some time on the water and practice various trim changes, Car positions, halyard tensions, etc, and make note of how each change affects your boat.

Snore · 06-11-2017, 16:23

There are numerous articles written about sail trim.

IMHO the key is keeping the air attached to the sail. To understand if the air is attached you need tell tales along the luff and in the draft of the sail. On the main I have a set 6” forward of the leech.

Stu Jackson · 06-11-2017, 16:26

https://shop.sailboatowners.com/prod...im+Users+Guide

He also wrote a chart.

Best sail trim stuff I've ever read.

sailorscotty · 06-11-2017, 16:36

thanks Stu- can you check that link as it doesn't seem to work. I will post this on the Twister association website as well - as previously mentioned I understand that time on water is best and that every boat is different but I still think that a general guide in the form of a table would be a good start, and then fine tune from there. cheers Scott.

Suijin · 06-11-2017, 16:41

There really is no matrix because all the sail controls have an effect on each other and usually good sail trim is a matter of tweaking various controls until they are working in harmony for the boat and the conditions.

But to really simplify it, it would be...in heavier wind flatten the sails, move the draft back, and if necessary introduce some twist. In lighter wind relax the controls to give your sails a fuller shape which translates into more power. Going to windward move your jib cars forward, off the wind move them back.

Much of how you do this depends on what sail controls your boat has. But the best course is to experiment. Keep an eye on the knot meter and start making adjustments. However, that requires some understanding of how the various controls work with each other.

**StuM** · 06-11-2017, 17:06

Are you looking for trim on your Twister 28? Is it one of these?
TWISTER 28 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

That's hardly a racing boat .

Personally, I'd make sure that I had a good set of telltales on main and headsail, go out in different conditions and learn to trim by optimising them.

It's noticeable that you spreadsheet doesn't mention reefing - which is far more important that halyard tension etc on a boat like that.

Does it even have a traveller, adjustable backstay, cunningham?

sailorscotty · 06-11-2017, 17:17

HI Stu yes it is a twister and no it is not a racing boat, but we still enjoy competing in the vintage regattas and Wednesday afternoon racing so I'm hoping that this table will provide myself (and possibly others) with a quick reference to setting up sail trim and getting the most from their boats. Again, this is only meant to be provide rough guidance under different wind conditions and points of sail, with fine tuning/boat specific changes to be made as required.

sandy stone · 06-11-2017, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suijin

Going to windward move your jib cars forward, off the wind move them back.

Are you sure about that? On most boats (mine included) going to windward with the jib in tight, the car should be back to a pretty specific location so the luff telltales on the jib break evenly - with some slight variation according to wind strength. Then, as you turn off the wind and ease the sheet, the car should go forward as much as a couple of feet to maintain tension on the leech, especially at the top.

To the OP - as others have said, trim your sails so the telltales are flying as much as possible, with emphasis on the leeward side, and you'll be doing better than most of the boats you come across. The #1 error of beginners is to overtrim the sails. To get a little more advanced, try to keep the point of max draft about 30% aft in the jib by adjusting halyard tension, and 40-50% aft in the main. When racing near other boats, try different adjustments and watch to see what helps and what hurts.

Jman · 06-11-2017, 17:44

To say the same as others: it is completely boat depended. No spreadsheet of settings. Even on a given boat as sails age (read stretch and lose shape) the trimming will change. Wind sheer (different every day) changes trim positions.