File - Canadian Wayfarer Association

(6”) or so from the luff and away from seams as they become snagged in stitching. If they are
placed at quarter, half and three quarters height along the luff, they will give some idea of the
air flow over the sail. As diagram 1 shows, the windward tufts stream slightly upwards when
indicating correct sail trim, whilst those on the leeward side stream horizontally.
They should all work together, with the top windward windtuft angled up slightly more than the
other two. This will mean that the sail is sheeted correctly with just enough leech tension to
control the whole sail.
This leech tension comes from both the angle of the sheet, from the clew to the fairlead, and
from the tension on the sheet itself. As a general rule, the middle leech will move about 12,5 cm
(5”) for every inch the sheet is moved through the fairlead. Considering this 5:1 ratio, it is
therefore very important not to over-tension the sheet. If in doubt, ease the sail until the top
windtuft collapses and then sheet in a bit to bring into line. It is a good idea to mark the sheet
somewhere near the fairlead to help quantify things.
The centre of the fairlead track should be approximately 53 cm. from the centreline and some
235 cm. from the transom. Although some success has been found on boats fitted with sideways
adjustment, it really is an unnecessary expense. There is also no need to lead the genoa sheet
aft to a jammer on the thwart. This is not only an unnecessary expense but adds complication. All
that is required is a simple track with fairlead and integral cleat.
The modern close-sheeting genoas have to be cut fuller because the closer in one sheets, the
more the leech has to be eased to keep it away from the mainsail. It is this ‘easing’ with its
reduction in leech tension which makes the closer sheeting angle work so well. As diagram 2
shows, the closer sheeting angle and eased jib sheet allow the jib leech to follow the contour of
the mainsail. This gives a constant slot width between the back of the jib and the front of the
main.
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