Table of Contents

Foreword.

SECTION 1: CREATING LIFT AND AVOIDING DRAG.

Introduction.

Creating Lift with Airfoils.

Airfoil: Airplane Wing.

Airfoil: Sail.

Avoiding Drag with Airfoils.

Overall Mainsail Trimming Goals and Means.

Sail Shape: Belly (Depth).

Sail Shape: Leech (Twist).

SECTION 2: THE MAINSAIL AND ITS CONTROLS.

Introduction.

The Mainsheet.

Close Hauled.

Reaching.

Running.

Traveler.

Leech Shape.

Speed and Heel Control - Very Light, Light and Medium Airs.

Speed and Heel Control - Strong and Heavy Airs.

Vang.

Close Hauled.

Reaching and Running.

Halyard.

Cunningham.

Outhaul.

Backstay.

SECTION 3: THE COMPLETE SHAPES.

The Complete Upwind Shapes.

Reading the Telltales.

Leech Telltales.

Draft Telltales.

SECTION 4: HOW TO SAIL FAST UPWIND.

Introduction.

Gears.

Measuring Gears.

Pointing Only Comes With Speed!

Keeping Speed.

Controlling Heel.

Coordination with The Helmsman.

Using Feel.

Gust Approaching (what not to do).

Gust Approaching (what you should do).

Using Target Boat Speeds.

Fast Manoeuvres.

Bearing Away.

Heading Up.

Tacking.

Footing.

Wind Changes.

Sea State.

SECTION 5: OFFWIND TRIM.

Reaching.

Emergency Vang!.

RUNNING.

PUMPING.

JIBING.

Jibing Under Symmetric Spinnaker.

Jibing under Asymmetric Spinnaker.

Jibing Without a Spinnaker.

SECTION 6: HOISTING, DROPPING AND REEFING.

Hoisting.

Dropping.

Reefing.

Conclusion.

Appendix A: Traveler Track.

Appendix B: Trim Table Template.

Appendix C: Points of Sail.

Glossary.

Index.

About the Author

Felix Marks is an experienced yacht racer who splits his time between London and Sydney.

Reviews

"Follow this clearly laid-out little book and you may well achieve that extra half-knot of boat speed." (Yachting Monthly, November 2007) "As a beginner's guide or quick recap tool, these bite size nuggets of information are perfectly digestible." (Boat Mart, November 2007) "...excellent little book..."  (Mainsail Trimming, December 2007)