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Sail Performance - Any Good Books?

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tomh
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/19/2012 : 07:21:14

I've been reading a lot on the forum lately about the finer points of sail adjustments.(cunninghams, travellers, etc.)

Can anyone suggest a good book that will explain the theory(in common language)of how to optimize sail performance?

Tom

1978 C25 "Karma" #790
Toledo Beach Marina
LaSalle, Michigan

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 07:32:46

I learned a lot from this book, which was recommended to me by a helpful local forum member:
http://www.amazon.com/Sail-Rig-Tuning-Ivar-Dedekam/dp/1898660670/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342708314&sr=8-1&keywords=sail+rig+tuning

The first half of the book is about tuning your sail controls, the second half is about tuning your standing rigging.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 08:23:24

The best book I have found was "Sail Power" by Wallace Ross. I have the original version, but I believe it has been updated to cover more recent trends of thinking with respect to sail trim.

The main proponent of the current trends is Arvel Gentry, who wrote a series of published articles on the subject (you can find them by Googling him). I believe Gentry's general theories are probably correct, but his writing is so dry and technical as to be almost unreadable. As a result, I think much of what he said has been widely misunderstood, and I see experienced racers all the time who are trimming their sails badly according to what they mistakenly believe Gentry recommended. Be wary of the people who tout Arvel Gentry's theories. They might not understand what his theories were.

My suggestion is to begin by learning the fundamental principles that have worked for so long, but study the new trends as they come and go, and retain whatever works, and throw out what doesn't work. Learning sail trim is a lifelong process.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 08:44:06

I have this book and it has a variety of photos of good and bad sail trim. I thought it was the same book Steve Milby recommended, but discovered it was authored by Peter Nielson. The only downside is that it does not cover loose footed mainsails.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1574091778/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0394727150&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=08NG1E4DYVQBJHZDYXN8"]Sailpower[/url]

Edited by - Davy J on 07/19/2012 08:44:53

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 08:53:50

Also, North U offers a good all-day seminar on Sail Trim that is taught at different times and places around the country. When I took it, I think the cost was about $100. or $125., and it was taught by Bill Gladstone, who wrote their book and produced their CD on sail trim. You can get more info at the following link. http://www.northu.com/

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 10:31:34

[url="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mojaladja.com/upload/Maximum_Sail_Power.pdf&sa=U&ei=Az4IUNOiGIHm0QHHvOCNBA&ved=0CBUQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNHnRWJNimR1M0bUNgdckffhciYW1Q"]Maximum Sail Power[/url] is a 305 page book on sail selection, sail manufacture, and sail maintenance & care.
There are several chapters on main, jib, and spinnaker trim under racing, cruising, and storm conditions. These ideas apply mainly to larger blue-water boats, but the info is also useful for us with our happy little sailboats. There are lots of personal anecdotes about all this stuff.

This is 2003 PDF file, but only the most recent sail materials and designs would be missing from the text, I suppose.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 13:10:53

Try this online tome: [url="http://www.4shared.com/office/1wMejzkq/Maximum_Sail_Power.html"]Maximum Sail Power[/url]

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 14:14:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Try this online tome: [url="http://www.4shared.com/office/1wMejzkq/Maximum_Sail_Power.html"]Maximum Sail Power[/url]

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You

Are

Awesome!

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2012 : 19:32:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 

You

Are

Awesome!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Thanks, but not really. Somebody else posted this a while back.

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vipermagic
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2012 : 07:07:23

Here's a link for that maximum sail power pdf that doesn't require a login: http://www.mojaladja.com/upload/Maximum_Sail_Power.pdf

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2012 : 08:49:53

If you want to avoid physics and advanced calculus, something simple and useful like this works very well

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/prod.php?51999/Sail%20Trim%20Chart%20and%20Sail%20Trim%20Guide

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2012 : 08:53:08

That sounds very similar to the book that I recommended too. It is a lot of illustrations, pretty easy to follow.

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tomh
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2012 : 09:24:30

I started reading "Mainsail Trimming" by Felix Marks. He talks about the idea that every boat has a correct angle of heel.

Does anyone know what the correct angle of heel for the C25?

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2012 : 09:32:20

"Maximum Sail Power" is interesting, I read a lot of it over the weekend. I do think that Sail Rigging and Tuning is a little easier to follow and a better place to start, but they complement each other nicely. MSP is good to read before ordering new sails, the front section goes a lot into what to look for.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2012 : 09:36:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Does anyone know what the correct angle of heel for the C25?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes.....This is the angle of heel you get to, right before the Admiral starts to complain......

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2012 : 09:56:00

http://books.google.com/books?id=ViNAPgAACAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions

How to Trim Sails by Peter Scheer

I've read this book about 40 times. I think it is pretty basic with different designs without getting too involved.

I'd recommend you go look at a windsurfing sail. ( or if you are young take windsurfing lessons.) The board sails are sweet designs and it just gives you a good look at a really good sail shape. Watching them setup their sail is very cool.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2012 : 18:41:46

Steve Colgate on Sailing, by Steve Colgate of course. A premiere sailor and a premiere sailing school.

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