Stephen Ord
01-07-2003, 08:41 am
In Don's book on Sail Trim he mentions aft stay tension on flattening the sail by bending the mast. Does this happen when the forestay goes to the masthead? If so how does it cause the mast to bend? (PS Great book Don - got one for Christmas)
Absolutly it happens, as the backstay is tightened the top of the mast is pulled back and down. this bends the mast and pushes the middle of the mast forward. In so doing it flattens the main. This is a basic sail shaping control and ALL sailboats should have the ability to flatten their mains as the weather pipes up. It is also a very good thing to do when the wind is extremly light (1-3kts)