For the genoa, dare to wear the shorts sheet?!
The short sheet - also known as the genoa barber sheet - is very effective when sailing in an unbridled condition. This new sheet offers a more open and forward pull than the roller of the genoa and optimizes the propulsion of the sail and the control of the opening of the fall of your headsail, especially by closing it. That is, by avoiding seeing all the wind escape from the top of the sail.
We use this solution at all speeds except upwind and it is particularly effective through, avoiding the genoa to be over-rimmed at the bottom and faseying at the top.
To carry out this operation, we will attach a chainplate to the liston which will allow the clew point to be moved away and an opening pulley to be rigged in which a new sheet will be passed. Then, we take the manoeuvre back to a roof winch for example.
With this system, you can easily increase your average speed by 0.5 knots, if not more. And you will avoid premature wear and tear of the sail by faseyement.
The Tangon with a drop and scissors
When you have only two sails on board, a pole is very useful downwind. Indeed, as you get closer to the tailwind, the genoa becomes unstable. By installing the spinnaker pole on the wide beam, or by scissoring, you will hold the sail in place.
With this last solution, you will discover an astonishing stability, full downwind
For the mainsail, use the boom brake
In the downwind, and in scissors, the main risk comes from the boom which can move from one side to the other without warning. Indeed, an involuntary gybe can occur and seriously injure a crew member, beyond causing a panic jump in the crash of the passage. To avoid disastrous consequences, the boom brake prevents the boom from crossing the cockpit unexpectedly and allows you to sail safely
