Hunter Marine HUNTER 25, Owner'S Manual, Page: 30 / 128

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If both sails are up, sheeting out all the way on one or the other sail can provide the same
effect as if the other were the only sail. When the jib is sheeted out, it does not exert any
force, so it is as if it were not even there. Similarly, if the jib is sheeted in and the mainsail let
loose, the boat will behave as if force were being applied to the bow. Keeping these principles
in mind, it becomes evident that changing the trim of the sails can influence the trajectory of
the boat. In fact, this should be practiced.
Go sailing and lock off the rudder. Try making the boat go in the direction you want by applying
the sail trim as we described. If the bow needs to go downwind, trim it in and ease the main. If
the bow needs to go upwind, ease the jib and trim in the main. As you become accustomed to
how much trim is required (and this will vary from boat to boat), you should be able to steer a
course by making minor adjustments once you have the basic trim set up. It will take some
practice but it will make you a much better sailor.
Figure 3 Figure 4