whats a beam reach? my downwind trim is the wind indicator perpendicular to the centerline of the boat (technically a beam reach), travellers half way out, cunningham loose and telltales flowing or just lifting on the leeward side. the main boom is just outside the leeward corner casting, tip of leeward hull 2" above wl in 'average' conditions 8-12 kn winds. this is usually my best vmg tacking downwind. BUT i'm guessing by beam reach you mean perpendicular to the actual wind direction, not the apparent wind. so how do you know, while sailing, what the actual wind direction is? flags on shore? wave action? trim would be for what is considered 'close reaching' on slower boats- travellers eased slightly, mainsheet, cunningham and jib sheet pretty tight, all telltales streaming, and the tip of the leeward hull 2" above wl