How to adjust a genoa sheet rail?
Anyone wishing to master the art of sailing should have the pleasure of learning on a daily basis. Indeed, even common maneuvers, supposed to be simple, can become complex in certain situations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, there are sailing basics that you need to remember and perfect through practice. This is the case with the setting of the sails. All boaters know that you have to know how to properly adjust the rigging before sailing aboard a sailboat. However, even with all the right knowledge, it is not always easy to use the various adjustment tools present on the bridge. How to adjust the genoa sheet rail? In the rest of the article, learn more about this fittings, as well as the different types of adjustments possible depending on the pace of the boat.
Operation of the genoa sheet
Sheet carriages are fittings for adjusting the mainsail and headsails, including the genoa. The sheet is struck on a carriage sliding along a rail in order to facilitate the adjustment of the hollow of the sail. The location of this adjustment device on the deck varies depending on the type of boat. On most sailboats, this part is placed in the axis of the boat, on both sides, in order to adjust the genoa sheet on the port tack and on the starboard tack. That your genoa or furling or not, passing the sheet through a trolley greatly facilitates the various control maneuvers. The operation of the genoa sheet rail is similar to that of the mainsail, i.e. the adjustments to be made depend on the direction of the wind. However, the adjustment possibilities are quite limited on the genoa sheet rail compared to those on the mainsail.
Adjustment of the genoa sheet according to the gait
Navigating a sailboat in a comfortable, faster and safer way involves great dexterity in carrying out certain maneuvers. The settings of the sails deserve special attention because the handling, speed and heading of your boat depend on it. Note that the sails adjustments are made according to the sail plan, that is to say, taking into account the position of the mainsail and the genoa. It should also be noted that the genoa is mainly used at upwind gaits, that is to say, upwind, full and through. Downwind, most of the adjustments are made on the mainsheet trolley.
Genoa adjustment tools
Le genoa sheet rail adjustment allows you to adjust the sail's hollow, but it's not the only tool you have at your disposal. Indeed, you can also fine tune your settings using the halyard, leech nerve and forestay. Whatever type of genoa adjustment you plan to make, you should also consider the position of each telltale in order to properly adjust the genoa sheet rail. It should be remembered that telltales are strips of fabric fixed at two or three levels on the two edges of the genoa (luff and leech). These pieces of fabric make it possible to visualize the flow of the wind.
Adjustment of the genoa sheet carriage for close gaits
The sailboat is closer to the wind bed looking up close, the genoa sheet rail adjustment must be done in an optimal way in order to stay the course or gain power. Everything is played on the profile of the genoa hollow. By moving the sheet carriage backwards, you reduce the hollow of the sail and thus give priority to heading. Conversely, by advancing the draw point of the genoa, you increase the hollow of the sail to give more power to the boat. Make sure, however, that you orient the sail correctly by tipping it up to an angle of 15 to 20 degrees with respect to the axis of the wind. This allows you to adjust the balance between luff tension and leech tension.
In short, the adjustment of the genoa sheet only allows the leech to be opened or closed in order to hollow or flatten the sail. Thus, this tool does not offer the possibility of adjusting the angle of incidence of the sail. For this, you must tuck or shock the listening in order to find the best compromise.
Which genoa sheet wagon to choose for your boat?
Mastering the adjustment of the genoa according to the gaits is thus acquired with experience. However, having a genoa cart well suited to the configuration of your sail and the size of your boat greatly facilitates learning. For this you have the choice between several brands:
You will find many other options on Amazon, Ebay et Ticketmaster in order to create the configuration that best suits your sailboat.
Finally, don't forget that your genoa sheets must be adapted to the size of your sailboat:
| Sailboat length in meters | Genoa sheet diameter |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8m | 10mm rope |
| 9m | 12mm rope |
| 10 to 18m | 14mm rope |
| More than 18m | 16mm rope |
