All about Headsails
The other very important thing, apart from the mainsail, is the headsails. They determine pretty much the speed of the boat, and using them appropriately can gain you a lot of time. The systems for their control vary, and you can choose between several options and decide which is best for your yacht. Yet there are certain minimum requirements that you should take into account - and these are to have and use genoa, working jib and storm jib.
There are systems that allow you to have and handle two headsails at a time.
The most effective way is to change and hoist them off-wind (the probability for heeling is smaller; they are not such a big factor, especially if the mainsail is on and secured). When you hoist you must secure the bag where the headsail is tightly on the leeward toerail and you must for sure wear a lifejacket, especially when you are working at the windward side. The design of the modern bags for sails is made so that it is easier for you. If you are using hanks (special rings) start from the bottom up. When the crew is ready to hoist, the halyard must be loose enough so the snap shackle reaches the head. Be careful not to allow the halyard to blow back or forward. It is advisable that the leeward side is free, because the sail should not start to work before it is fully secured and hoisted.
To drop a headsail
It must be under control and special care, because if the yacht is sailing upwind, it can be difficult and dangerous (the yacht is heeling, pitching, and there might be waves). One part of the crew should control the gradual drop of the halyard, and prevent the possibility of the sail going into the sea (because then it might get lost; and if it is not made from Dacron but from some type of cloth, it will be very difficult to dry it up). The bag where it is supposed to be put must be attached very well to the leeward toerail. If the sail is wet all over, some people prefer to leave it on the deck until it dries, or at least partially dries.
It is very important to realize that even though headsails may look small, they are significant to the movement of the yacht, so when you plan any change, there must be sufficient sea-space to allow for loss in maneuverability.
When you use a winch, make sure that all of them run clockwise, and the rope runs in clockwise direction, too. It is very tricky, because you must put just as many turns as to put the rope in place without slipping, and to have the work done in the end. First, when you start, you need a single turn. The next step, the next turn, you apply no earlier than when it gets heavy.
If you see the bottom turn starting to loose or jam, then release, take off the tension. If you are too slow, again it may jam, so take tension off.
If you use a handle, be very careful not to smack anyone from the crew or yourself.
It is good to try and find an optimum place for handling, where it would be done with minimum effort and no danger for others. The ease depends also on the heeling of the boat.
|
