How To Sheet Out Jib Downwind On Catamaran?

In a catamaran, using a mainsail and a jib can help balance the boat and create more lift. To set and sheet downwind sails, it is essential to keep the jib sheet tight and the boat depowered. To sail upwind, maintain high speeds, center the mainsheet, limit angles to 45-60°, lose unnecessary weight, upgrade to Kevlar sails and daggerboards, and use depowering tools.

Poling out the headsail to sail downwind can be intimidating, especially offshore in big breezes. However, Colin has a way to make it easy and safe. If the top of the sail breaks first, move the lead forward; if the bottom of the sail breaks first, move the lead aft. Trim the sail so the leech tell tales are not flowing, then ease the sheet until they start to flow. On a reach, you can ease sails under load by first resetting the unloaded downwind jib sheet to capture the loaded upwind jib without having to.

To get the best out of your vessel, learn how to reef the big main while sailing hard, downwind. Adjusting the main sheet and traveller is crucial for preventing the top of the sail from billowing out excessively. First, ease the foreguy or release the lazy sheet from the bow cleat. Next, as the boat is turned into the jibe, the pole should come off the jib.

Using the pole allows the maximum amount of sail to be flown in light winds. A poled out jib allows sailing above a dead downwind course, which can be achieved by easing the sheet to curl the luff and trimming to just take out the curl.

To deep reef the main sail, drop the traveler all the way to leeward, and sheet the mainsheet hard in. Secure the helm so the rudders are pushing the boat into the water. Once everything is in place, take up the slack in the headsail sheets and tighten all of the pole control lines in turn to ensure there is enough space for the sail.