The right halyard tension: the signs to understand how best to adjust
THE PERFECT GIFT!
Give or treat yourself to a subscription to the print + digital Journal of Sailing and for only 69 euros a year you get the magazine at home plus read it on your PC, smartphone and tablet. With a sea of advantages.
The adjustment of halyards is a matter that needs to be investigated well if we are to sail, even when cruising, properly and above all efficiently. Any change in the load on the mainsail halyard or genoa results in a change in the fat on the sail and should therefore be weighted according to wind and sea conditions.
When sails speak
The sails give two macro signals when we adjust the halyards by leaving or capping them. When there is little tension, small horizontal creases form along the infieritura. If we are sailing with little wind and wave those creases, hinted at, must be there to have a powerful sail with the right amount of fat. On the other hand, if we sail in winds above 10-12 knots, the halyard should be capped instead until the creases disappear.
Halyard – watch out for the vertical crease
Instead, the second signal that the sails give us is a vertical crease parallel to the infieritura. When it appears it means that the halyard has too much tension relative to the wind strength on the sail. It should then be left until the crease is eliminated to restore the proper shape. Even in winds above 15 knots, the halyard dicks adequately to make the horizontal creases disappear, but the vertical crease should never be created. In case the stopper in very strong winds cannot hold all the tension we give to the halyard, we can decide to lock it on self-tailing, if our boat’s winches are equipped with it. Stoppers plus self will ensure that the voltage does not drop under load.
Mauro Giuffrè
Share:
Check out the latest issue
Are you already a subscriber?
Ultimi annunci
Our social
Sign up for our Newsletter
We give you a gift
Sailing, its stories, all boats, accessories. Sign up now for our free newsletter and receive the best news selected by the Sailing Newspaper editorial staff each week. Plus we give you one month of GdV digitally on PC, Tablet, Smartphone. Enter your email below, agree to the Privacy Policy and click the “sign me up” button. You will receive a code to activate your month of GdV for free!
You may also be interested in.
Harken tells how exploring the world by sail is within everyone’s reach
A special event, “Harken House,” illuminated new perspectives on the art of sailing exploration. From super-technological yachts capable of tackling polar ice to vintage sailing ships plying remote oceans, today an increasingly wide audience has the opportunity to experience unforgettable
Shower in a click with this accessory (without invasive installations)
Scanstrut expands its offerings for intelligent management of on-board systems, introducing the new Connect line: a family of solutions designed to simplify life on board with robust and functional systems dedicated to water, energy and connections. The first component to
Below-deck tricks for enjoying the boat in winter
The boat in winter, below deck we can do a lot to make it more comfortable than a home. Here are some tips and tricks for enjoying the boat even in the cold season, dictated by Luigi Gallerani’s (a.k.a. Lutz)
The tricks on deck for enjoying the boat in winter
The boat in winter: here are some valuable tips for outfitting the deck for short and mini outings in the season according to Luigi Gallerani’s (aka Lutz) personal experience after 3 years on board. BOAT IN WINTER, TRICKS
