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Old 06-01-2025, 11:40   #1
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Trim for Catamarans

Where is the best detailed information on proper trim procedures for Catamarans? I have read the Nautical Manuals on Sail $ Rig Tuning but just looking for information on detailed cat trimming?
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Old 06-01-2025, 16:13   #2
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Do you have specific questions (e.g. how do I trim for optimum upwind VMG?) or do you want generic information? If the former, specific questions are need to be able to answer. If the latter, this Google search returns decent results: how to trim sails on a catamaran
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Old 06-01-2025, 17:04   #3
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Thank you Fxykty, I am just looking for an all-around resource for trimming sails on a cat on all points of sail, that would include all things regarding adjusting draft, lift, twist, Fairleads, etc. Everything I read is more oriented to Monos that include boom vang adjustments, outhauls tweaks and so on. I am just looking for a resource for detailed catamaran or trimaran trimming.

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Old 07-01-2025, 01:18   #4
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

i dont think there is anything specific available. still kind of a secret held mainly by french.

best you can do is to challenge another cat with top sailor - gaining against them if you lucky - and force them to display one of their tricks. have binoculars ready to see what they are doing. They often sail ordinary (french) cruising cat.

i also learned from others, like some seawind sailors have noteworthy skills.
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Old 07-01-2025, 02:15   #5
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Google search

Look at images - loads of info and diagrams.
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Old 07-01-2025, 04:04   #6
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Google : https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...15VGqeE&t=381s

If you want to race a beach cat that is a different ball game.
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Old 07-01-2025, 04:54   #7
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

The questions is pointlessly broad. There is no single guide for monohulls; a TP52 and an overweight AWB with baggy sails are totally different. Same with a performance cat vs. a charter cat with a fridge. Masthead genoa and pin head main, or fractional blade with a fat head main? Often, cats are not faster than monohulls and thus, the trim rules really are not that different. The greatest difference is that cats with shallow keels generally make more leeway and are better trimmed out a little and sailed a little freer. Another difference is the handling of gusts.



I have owned 4 multihulls (3 cats and a tri) and the trim requirements of all three where very different. The joy of sailing is reading up, building an understanding, and then figuring out what is best for your boat, which BTW, will change with the conditions. Learning how to trim to how the boat is handling, at that moment, is the art of sailing.
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Old 07-01-2025, 05:15   #8
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

https://youtu.be/3Xyl2jTwvuk
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Old 07-01-2025, 06:01   #9
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Bethwaite, HIGH PERFORMANCE SAILING
Rick White, CATAMARAN RACING FOR THE 90s
Google ‘Randy Smyth sail trim’
Le Sueur, MULTIHULL SEAMANSHIP

get you started
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Old 07-01-2025, 17:55   #10
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Thanks to all who have replied and especially those that shared the links without the snarky comments, except for you arsenelupiga... that is hilarious.
Fair winds to all.
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Old 08-01-2025, 05:00   #11
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

“How to Sail Trim, Tack & Gybe on a Catamaran” ~ by Rolly Tasker Sails
https://www.rollytasker.com/en/about...-and-handling/
Videohttps://youtu.be/Y2qP15VGqeE

“Catamaran Sail Trimming – The Beginners Guide” ~ by Performance Yachts Sales
https://www.pyachtsales.com/catamaran-sail-trimming/

“CRUISING SAIL TRIM: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER” ~ by North Sails
https://www.northsails.com/blogs/nor...ils-3di-nordac

“Downloadable Sail Trim Guides” ~ by Quantum Sails
https://www.quantumsails.com/en/reso...il-trim-guides
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Old 08-01-2025, 14:20   #12
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

You could also hire a sailing instructor with lots of catamaran experience to spend a day on your boat showing you the way to trim your boat for your expectations.
Your local sailing school will probably be very happy to oblige.
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Old 08-01-2025, 17:38   #13
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

Trim is the same. Only tools may differ.


Also, your standing rigging may force you to trim in sub optimal ways, which is less common in monos. This will apply to running mostly.


There is good news too. Running wing and wing is easier done in a cat. And a spinnaker can be flown without the pole too. Not so in a mono.


b.
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Old 13-01-2025, 08:12   #14
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

There is one guy on here that has good diagrams. He may show up. Twixter on FB.
The failure I see in most guides is three things that are very different on cat's to monos.

a) Limited boom angles due to shrouds (result - reef earlier downwind to help keep sails off shrouds)

b) No mast bend adjustment. Sail shape more by batten tensions.

c) Rapid roll moment on beam seas affecting top 1/3 of main. Very few talk about this, but the banging and snapping of the main will get your attention.

There is also some chat of use of main with different spinnakers. I prefer mine down but opinions vary heavily.

Preventers with a wide traveller are an interesting discussion.
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Old 13-01-2025, 09:29   #15
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Re: Trim for Catamarans

You don't mention what kind of cat you have. I have a 1994 Islad Packet Cat. Vintage. I searched for books etc from that time era to learn about sailing these cats vs modern speedsters I have Captained on.



And if you haven't heard of Internet Archive, they have zillions of books available for free.
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