All Forums  Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums  General Sailing Forum  Excellent Sail Trim advice from Quantum

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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by Steve Milby[/i] [br]I just found this advice from Quantum Sails on sail trim. It took me many years to figure this out, but Quantum laid it all out clearly in only a few short paragraphs. "Do you know what’s actually steering your boat? It’s not just the rudder. A well-balanced boat uses the relationship between two forces: the Center of Lateral Resistance (CLR) below the waterline and the Center of Effort (CE) above it. Center of Lateral Resistance (CLR) Think of this as the boat’s underwater pivot point. It represents the combined resistance created by the hull, keel and rudder against sideways movement. Center of Effort (CE) This is the average point where wind pressure acts on your sails. Unlike the CLR, it moves depending on your sail plan, trim and conditions. Here’s where balance comes in: When the CE and CLR are aligned, the boat naturally wants to sail straight with less rudder input. Move the CE forward of the CLR; the bow wants to turn away from the wind, creating lee helm. Move the CE aft of the CLR; the bow wants to turn toward the wind, creating weather helm. You can actually feel this on your own boat. Try easing the jib and trimming the main, then reverse it. Pay attention to how the boat wants to turn before you touch the wheel or tiller. Even crew placement can change how the boat behaves. The goal isn’t just speed. A balanced boat is easier to steer, puts less strain on your gear and requires less rudder input. Next time you’re sailing, see how straight you can get the boat to track with as little rudder as possible." [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature. Check here to subscribe to this topic.