Following Chris Fields' positive comments Wednesday night about our downwind performance & subsequent conversation with him at the mid-season party, I've spent a good deal of time reviewing many articles on spinnaker trim and searching of the web for the same. I also spent some time reviewing tuning guides for various boats, primarily for shroud tuning, but alert for other gems as well. Most of what I've found is a repeat of what we already know, but may not be practicing.
Here are some of the highlights of what I've found in numerous articles.
1- Spinnaker luff curl: The luff should always have a curl in it. Where, we have been easing to a curl, then removing it. A constant curl assures optimum flow on the fwd surface of the sail and gives more drive forward, as opposed to lee.
2- Spinnaker pole fore/aft position: Rather than 90 degrees to the apparent wind, the pole should be approximately 10 degree aft of perpendicular to the apparent wind. Again, this gives more drive forward, similar to proper curl.
3- Pumping the pole (guy): In moderate air, we should be pumping the guy, sheet and mainsheet. As the wind increases, pump the guy only (cease pumping the sheets due to the resultant heeling). In broach prevention, there is no limit on pumping of the guy. Never, never release the guy for broach prevention.
I've been reading Stuart Walker's columns in the back of Sailing World for over twenty-five years. I have to admit, back in the early 80's, not fully understanding all he was saying. Still today, I save his article for last; for some quiet time when I can concentrate. I've read a number of his books: A Manual of Sail Trim, Advanced Racing Tactics, Sailor's Wind; and return to them now and then for review. So I found the following thread on SA of interest:
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=75229&st=50
Walker's Axioms
1. "Avoid the laylines"
2. "Move out" early; "dig back in" later
3. "Keep inside and to windward on the tack towards the layline and ahead and to leeward on the tack back towards the rhumbline"
4. "Cross the fleet when you can"
5. "Don't let then cross you"
6. "Don't tack til boats to leeward on the same tack, tack"
7. "Cover when ahead"
8. "Spend your lead"