Basic Technique Question

New sailor here.

2 very basic questions

1.I know that the more downwind you travel the more you let out the traveler. What is proper technique for mainsheet?

As far as wind speedI would think that in light air you want to let out the main to allow sail to catch as much air as possible and sheet in for heavy air. I have been told it is actually the opposite?

So in general what is proper sheeting technique for point of sail and for different wind speeds?

2. Why is the tiller bar behind the mainsheet block? i have to continually reach behind the block when I turn?

Is there some sort of extender to allow the tiller to be in front of the block?

Seems like an odd design "flaw' Why is this the way it is?

The tiller is so long that you can not pass in front... it would hit you, crew, shrouds. You have to swing it aft. You will get used to it. Face aft when tacking and pass from one hand to the other or simply toss into the water and drag it until you are set on the other side. You can steer holding the tiller crossbar.

Trim is tighter as you head closer to the wind. Looser as you bear away. Light or heavy wind is pretty much the same. Difference is in hiking or trapeze to get you weight over the side as the wind increases.

Use the tell tails for proper adjustments. there are a few FAQs on the topic.

FAQ section: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

Sailing FAQ: http://www.hobiecat.com/articles/basics-sailing,182/

Sail trim:

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt:

I appreciate the reply. The link speaks of bringing sail in.

I guess my confusion is as follows:

Is bringing the sail in bringing traveler toward centerline or pulling in on mainsheet or combination of the 2?

In your pic of telltales by "bringing sail in "do they mean tightening mainsheet or traveler?

Is it OK to use rule of thumb:

beam reach=traveler half way out and run all the way outor is it more complex?

I guess the best way is to sail and work on technique but just looking for basic rules

Yes, In for upwind. Hiking strap for reach and all the way out for run.

Use a combination of traveler and mainsheet to get the tell tails to flow.

Generally let the sail out and bring back in until the tell tail on your (windward) side of the sail starts to flow aft.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The traveler and mainsheet generally work in unison. For upwind, bring the traveler in tight and bring the mainsheet in tight. For a reach, drop the traveler down 1/2 way and let the mainsheet out. For broad reaching, let the traveler all the way out and dump the mainsheet a few more feet. The exception would be when your getting overpowered upwind or on a close reach you would drop the traveler down a few inches but keep the main sheeted in tight. Of course, the devil's in the details and fine tuning sheet and traveler positions takes a long time to master.

Generally speaking, the mainsheet controls how much twist the sail has and how full or flat the sail is. The traveler sets the angle of the body of the sail relative to the boat.

sm