Main sheet

Joining more regattas in this season I came across three different ways to control the main sail on the upwind-leg.

- The classic way: The cunnigham is set once and the helmsman controls the main sheet.

- The cunnigham is set once and the crew controls the main sheet.

- The main sheet is set once and the crew controls the cunnigham.

It goes without saying that the respective set control is re-adjusted if the circumstances make in neccessary. I hope I made myself understandable ...

Which of the three options do you prefer / recommend?

If I am sailing with my normal crew, Eileen, I use the third method
[color:"blue"]- The main sheet is set once and the crew controls the cunnigham. [/color]
16:1 Cunningham is easier for her to handle than the 10:1 Main

If I have a guy for a crew I prefer the Second Method [color:"blue"]
- The cunnigham is set once and the crew controls the main sheet. [/color]
They are strong they can handle it.

Dan

HTFU Delave and work the mainsheet! :-) Get JW to say that line, I guarantee it will make you smile

Ding:

Your telling me to [color:"red"]Harden the F$^# Up! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> [/color] (Saw the video)
Thanks for all the support (not)...man this is a tough crowd.

By the way if you have not had a crew take the mainsheet while sailing to weather you are missing out. It is great fun! And you will go faster. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Try it for the first time at the North Americans!

Dan DeLave

Well, I talked to sweetness and she said...

You've been talking to DeLave again, you both need to HTFU!

It actually went better than expected.

helm handles the cunningham and trims so that crew is not over-dumping the mainsheet in gust

Crew works the main and also cunningham.

or

Crew works the main and the Skipper works cunningham.