Twist is the amount the top third of the sail twists to leeward relative to the bottom. You wantmore twist in light air and less in heavy; more twist in a choppy sea and less in a smooth sea.Angle of entry is term which describes the roundness of the front of the sail. A rounder entry—often referred to as a fuller entry—will create greater acceleration, speed and a more forgiving sailing “groove” at the expense of some pointing ability. (figure 8)Vertical distribution of depth is carefully considered and manipulated at the design stage. Onboard, you really only have control over the bottom third of the sail. This is good if you want topoint closer to the wind or if you are overpowered. The same effect is achieved in the mainsailby pulling on the outhaul or the flattening reef.In order to simplify this matter we have created a reference table (below in graph 2). Theseadditional factors must be considered together with either power or point condition, neverseparately.Now, let’s examine each of these extra factors.

Figure 8

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC TRIM

Round entry (camberforward)Straight (fine) entry.Entry gets finer ascamber moves aft.

POWER POINTING

REQUIREMENT TRIM RESPONSE REQUIREMENT TRIM RESPONSE

Fuller Sails 1. Ease backstay Flatten Sails 1. Tighten backstay 2. Ease main outhaul 2. Outhaul on harder 3. Ease genoa sheet 3. Sheets on harder 4. Move jib fairlead fwd 4.Move jib fairlead aft Increased Twist 1. Ease mainsheet Decreased Twist 1.Tighten mainsheet 2. Traveller up 2. Lower traveller down 3.Tighten boom vang Round Entry 1. Tighten halyard orcunningham Flatten Entry 1. Ease halyard 2. Ease backstay 2.Tighten backstay Rounder Exit 1. Traveller up (main to centerline) Straighter Exit 1. Traveller down 2. Ease outhaul 2.Flattener on

Graph 2