A basic principle when trimming: Do not look at the trimming device, like the winch, but where the effect is visible
Cruising sailors probably have very different associations with the term trimming than regatta sailors. They are primarily concerned with getting the maximum speed out of the boat through an optimal setting of the sail profile. The success of these measures can be checked immediately by comparing them with counterparties.
The effect of the backstage from different perspectives
Maximizing speed, on the other hand, will usually not play that important role for cruising sailors. Badly trimmed, wrinkled cloths all too often testify to a rather ignorant attitude towards the speed potential of your own yacht, as well as, among other things, sailing only under pleasure before the wind. Comfort is more important to many crews than arriving a few minutes earlier on a cruise lasting several hours.
But the right trim plays a major role, especially with ThemComfort. As described in issue 9/2013, on all courses, more pointed than room sheets, greediness can become a comfort problem. If the sails generate too much pressure, the result is severe heeling - not a desirable condition for many sailors. With the heel, the greediness also increases. The consequences are more rudder pressure and an overall restless ride. Reefing would be an alternative, but it is sometimes a laborious maneuver and also the last measure when trimming no longer helps. First, an attempt should be made to take the pressure off the sails with the existing facilities. Because usually a well-trimmed yacht that is barely wearing its cloth sails significantly faster, but also more comfortably than one on which the sail area was reduced early on and it is then also poorly positioned. In rough seas, the counter pendulum to the hull movements, the surface that offers resistance, is missing at the top. Rolling movements can thus increase significantly
The trim devices for the mainsail on most yachts and their effects are shown in detail in the first part of the large trim series. Special attention is paid to the furling mainsail (headsail and gennaker follow in parts 2 and 3).
Before you can start trimming the sails, however, the mast must be correctly positioned. How to adjust the basic trim, Elvström trim expert Sören Hansen explains in the YACHT-tv video.