when i'm on a port tack(i.e. the sails are on the port side of the boat if thats the correct terminology...or is it the side the wind hits first), anyhoo, i use the port side jib sheet to control the jib and let the starboard sheet hang loose (sails are on the port side just to clear that up). however, i saw a pic recently that suggests the crew was using either the starboard sheet or both to control the jib. is there something i'm missing about sail shape here. it always seems to me that using the starboard sheet put too much curve in the foot. any help?
If your sails are on the port side of the boat, you are on a starboard tack. Yes, use your Port Sheet to adjust your jib. Careful not to oversheet. You kill the air flow to the main by oversheeting the jib.
I have been sailing my 16 for 3 years now, and I think the best way to setup the jib is to tie the top 3 battens fairly loose and put a little arch in the lower batten. I also attach the sheet to the second from the bottom hole on the clew plate. This lets the top of the slot to open some to help prevent backwinding the main. Also, the 16 likes to foot off the wind a little. If you pinch, you get beat up and do not get up wind as fast.
I am not sure what others will say, but I think that it helps the slot to get the main as flat as possible. If the winds are really high and I want to depower, I sheet the jib tight and ease the main out a little; you can see the main back winding, but it takes some of the bite out of the gust; even doing this good boat speed is critical. If you slow too much, the wind wants to push you over instead of forward.
David
O, by the way, the only time that I lazy-sheet, using the windward jib sheet to trim, is when I am driving way too deep (down wind), usually in light wind.
I would love to hear sail trim tips from other skippers/crews.
David
I can't understand why you would use the lazy sheet to trim the jib up wind (or down wind for that matter). The blocks should be trimmed to within a couple of inches of the traveller car anyway. Where did you see this?
A couple of thoughts:
Mast rake will effect how tight you must sheet the jib and where to hang the blocks on the clew plate. Second hole from the bottom is most common.
In heavy air I prefer to open the jib/main slot rather than choke it off. If you are at the point where the main must be travelled out more than 6 inches you are getting plenty of power from the main and don't need the jib. Travel the jib out half way and sheet it medium tight.