I think I now understand what he means.


It saves sheet line when you use the following as the main criterium for minimal sheet length :


"You should be able to have trav at end of track and push boom out until its about 20cm from sidestay, at this point you should have less than 1m of sheet left over"

I always set the length so I can still control the boat singlehandedly (when traveller centred) from the luff hull in 20 knots of wind and mavouring for position before the start. For that criterium the difference in length is negligigle between both setups. I typically have to sheet out alot that way. Trapping then requires a tighter sail and pulling the sheet in to achieve that seems to provide enough extra sheet to lead it outboard.

Interestingly enough, when I really have to dump the main while trapping I typically hold on the traveller line as the knot between it and the sheet has then passed through my hand. This knot is located just far enough that when I blow the traveller cleat (mid beam setup) that the traveller car just can't hit its end stop.

I didn't understand Macca's comments fully first time around.

Wouter