Sailing Wing & Wing
Many sailors either don’t have a spinnaker for downwind
sailing or seldom us it for various reasons.
So, sailing downwind for these sailors is often done in a series of
broad reaches joined by jibes. This technique
certainly works; but there is another way.
And that other way is sailing “wing & wing”. The course is a downwind run.
Set the mainsail out to one side of the boat and then “wing out” the jib to
the other side of the boat. If there is
enough wind, the jib will fly nicely. If
the wind is light though, the weight of the jib may cause it to collapse into
the lee of the mainsail. Using a whisker
pole to hold the jib sail out to one side is the answer. One end of the pole attaches to a ring on the
front of the mast; and the other end secures to the jib sheet. I always tie my sheets to the jib with a
bowline – so there is a loop to secure the pole to.
Either way, you should be able to sail a true downwind
course and cut the distance to your destination by a lot.
barnaclebillholcomb@gmail.com
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