How to mark line positions?

Was reminded today how critical Harness line positioning is. I usually have the lines well forward so I can easily sheet out if hit by a gust and just sheet in with the back hand for more power. After struggling with the sail for 15 mins today decided to shift them back 1 - 2 inches. What a difference, I could almost let go of the boom even though I was a bit overpowered and the water was quite choppy.

What is the easiest way to mark the optimum line positions to facilitate using a boom with different sail sizes?

Do most people keep their lines in one position with one sail, or move them depending on sail trim and wind strength? Either way an average optimum position marker would be a good point to work from I guess.

Any tips?

I have a basic position that I start with,(marked on the sail bag) and then depending on conditions and the way I rigged the sail (over powered, under powered) I adjust toward the pain. I also have 6 marks about an inch apart to use to measure where the lines are. Because I have bad shoulders my first priority with a sail is to balance the lines so I can relax my arms. I normally move the lines 1/4' to 1/2' until they are right. hope this helps

btw I use a paint stick to mark the positions and then remark after about 5 days of use.

adjustments from each point. Soon enough you will find the optimum setup.

Assuming you have an idea of where they should go, measure the distance along the outside of the boom to the front strap. Do this for each side since most sails are asymmetric in their performance. This position will hardly ever change. From the front strap on each side measure to the back strap. Record this along with your harness line lengths for various conditions in your tuning book and there you go.

This is the best way and I think the easiest since with your tape measure you can replicate your tuning every time you go sailing and avoid oddball surprise when it time to sail. A tuning book is everyone's best friend. That and a mechanical downhaul too!

Thanks for your helpful comments as always Dan. Guess I'm going to have to go down the rigging book and tape measure route.

I was just wondering if anyone had a clever idea for marking the boom as I normally get so excited when I get to the beach that I just throw my kit together as fast as possible and get on the water. Reading my instructions and getting the tape measure out seemed just too time consuming.

Never was one for delayed gratification.

use an oil base paint pen

1. Magic marker. If your boom grips are black, buy a Pilot marker from an office supply store. They come in silver and gold and will mark anything from glass to wax paper to dog doo doo permanently.

2. Learn to sheet IN when hit by gusts. Sheeting out costs us speed and spinout.

3. I adjust my lines a bit when adjusting outhaul tension, to get my lines balanced as well as I possibly can, as required by my aging and inflamed forearms.

4. Wolfgang's right; we should be able to let go of the booms for a few seconds with no impact any time we're hooked in.

Mike m/

RE/

I'm lucky enough to have blue grip on my booms, so a Waterford Sharpie Fine Point permanent marker works for me.

material, whether die-cut or screened. Simple enough, just measure some reference points from the front end, equal on both sides, and at least you'll have a steady reference mark for quick and dirty rigging. Hell, athletic tape can serve as temporary markers until you get it sussed out.

I still recommend the gains able to be achieved from the tuning book and tape measure. Makes all the difference with larger sails.

But does have the advantage of stopping me messing in my wetsuit I was sailing overpowered (for me anyway)

Anyone know where they sell balls the size of watermelons?

On wave sails (or any sail where you take out the foot batten) you can mark the optimum position on the batten with a sharpie or other waterproof marker. This keeps the length indicator with the sail at all times. I like the 'mark the sail bag' idea as well. t Michael