Z Sails Mainsail and Jib Trim

Jib Trim

1. Tell-tails in 0-8 knots of breeze should break evenly, top to bottom. As breeze increases move the jib track car 1-2 holes back to de-power and twist out the top.
2. Jib halyard tension in 0-8 knots of breeze allows for light horizontal wrinkles in luff (photo shows headstay hanks instead of slotted luff rope). As breeze increases, gradually adjust Jib halyard tension to smooth luff wrinkles. Similarly as breeze decreases, adjust Jib halyard tension to induce luff wrinkles. A big vertical wrinkle behind the headstay is an indication of too much jib halyard tension.
3. Draft should be adjusted as wind speed changes to maintain maximum depth (and power) at a position that is 45% of the chord between leech and luff, and never aft of 50%. Speed stripes appearing between leech and luff are real-time illustrations of the depth of a sail's draft.

Mainsail Trim

1. Main halyard tension in 0-8 knots of wind shows light horizontal wrinkles, similar to the Jib. As breeze increases, adjust mainsail halyard tension to reduce luff wrinkles. Similarly as breeze decreases, adjust mainsail halyard tension to induce luff wrinkles. A big vertical wrinkle in the mainsail luff is an indication of too much mainsail halyard tension.
2. Vang tension for any wind speed is set before the start by sailing downwind with the Main boom eased out to the shrouds. Tension is added until the top batten aligns with the boom, indicating that there is no twist in the Mainsail. Adjust as conditions change.
3. Upwind Mainsail trim:
• 0-8 knots True Wind Speed - traveler car is fully to weather, sheet is eased so the leech is at the centerline of the boat.
• 9-14 knots True Wind Speed - ease traveler car to the centerline, sheet tightly. Top telltail streams 50% of the time, stalls 50% of the time.
• 15+ knots True Wind Speed - ease the traveler car below the centerline to de-power, as needed. If the traveler is all the way to leeward and the boat is still overpowered, begin easing the Main sheet slightly.