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When the sail is pulled in enough, a force is formed on the leeward
side of the sail as the wind speeds up over the curved surface.
The centerboard negates the sideway portion of this force, and the
boat is driven forward through the water. LUFFING occurs when the
sail is not pulled in enough, and it may result in the whole sail
shaking if the sail is all the way out, or it may be only a gentle
pulsing of the sail in the center of the luff of the sail when the
sail is almost (but not quite) in enough. Since luffing starts at
the luff of the sail, and the last point to stop luffing is the
luff of the sail, this is an important spot to give your attention.
| You will find the sail must be kept well in toward
the centerline of the boat when the wind is coming from the
forward part of the boat, and can be, and should be, well out
when the wind is toward the back, or stern, of the boat. Remember,
the sail should only be pulled in enough to keep it from luffing.
To pull the sail in beyond this point will break up the wind
flow on the leeward side of the sail and cause undesirable side
effects. |
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In a very strong wind it may be necessary to ease out the sail
a few inches and sail with a controlled amount of luff in the forward
part of the sail to avoid excessive heeling to leeward. It may also
be necessary to temporarily let the sail out even further if you
are tipped quickly in a strong puff of wind. However, keep in mind
that a little tipping is natural, and if you are too timid and luff
the sail too much to the point where the boat is not moving forward
through the water, you will lose your ability to control the boatÕs
course.
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