Seawind 1000XL2, Owner'S Manual

Page: 24 / 28

Owners Handbook 24
NOTE: the Smartpilot Fluxgate Compass is mounted on the starboard
midships forward inner galley/dinette bulkhead. Do not store any steel items
near the fluxgate compass as it will interfere with its operation.
Reefing and Sail Control
For many people who are new to multihull sailing, the first question they ask is
“When do I reef?” When sailing on a monohull yacht it is easy to tell the boat
is overpowered by excessive heel and a heavy helm. On a cat like your
Seawind however, there is limited heel and the balanced spade rudders
provide a light, neutral feel at all times. So, as a guide we have outlined
some suggested reefing apparent wind strengths below.
18 knots
- Mainsail first reef.
22 knots - Mainsail second reef.
25 knots - Mainsail third reef.
When you are about to put a reef into the mainsail, luff the boat up until you
are head to wind. When there is no pressure on the mainsail ease the
halyard until the single line reefing block at the luff is just above the main sail
catcher. Winch in the reefing line to gather up the foot of the sail. Finally ease
out the main halyard a further 0.8m and take up the reefing line so the single
line reefing block at the luff is as close as possible to the boom but still free
running. Once the reefing point is secure re-tension the halyard.
As the mainsail is reefed, furl up the headsail as necessary to keep the boat
balanced. This will help maintain good height to windward and keep the boat
easy to tack.
The Traveller
In very strong winds the mainsail can be further de-powered by easing the
traveller down from centerline. Unlike many keelboats, which have a vang to
prevent the boom from lifting, a catamaran uses its mainsheet and long
traveller to control sail shape. The traveller is trimmed by using blocks and
jammers at either end. It is very important to lock off both ends of the
traveller so that in the case of accidental gybe or tack, no one is injured as the
car moves quickly along the track.
When sailing downwind ease the traveller down to the leeward end of the
track and use the mainsheet to control the sail shape. This works far better
than leaving the traveller on centerline and just easing the mainsheet as this
causes the sail to lose its shape. Also, by locking off the traveller and
mainsheet, the boat has an effective “preventer” so that the boat cannot
accidentally gybe. When you do wish to gybe, ease enough mainsheet
tension so that you can move and lock the traveller on the centerline. Next,
as the boat is slowly turned, pull in the mainsheet so that it is on centerline as
the boat goes onto the new tack. After completing the gybe, ease the
traveller back down and trim the sail with the mainsheet. This method will
ensure safe, controlled gybing even in very windy conditions.