Sail Performance: Techniques to Maximize Sail Power

Rating:
Summary: This book helped me trim my sails for best performance
Review: I found this book a great help in sorting out the relative importance of sail fullness, trim angle, mainsheet tension, luff tension and vang tension. The result for me is faster sailing and better finishing positions.

Winning a sailboat race starts with proper sail trim. Marchaj describes in great detail sail aerodynamic throry with illustrative wind tunnel measurements and clear diagrams that allow me to understand the basic concepts. This understanding allows me to focus on the important aspects of sail trim during a race so I can continuously maximize my boat speed.

He explains how to use wool streamers to show what the flow is on the lee side of the sail. The use of wool streamers allows me to rapidly trim the sail to an optimum point.

Rating:
Summary: This book helped me trim my sails for best performance
Review: I found this book a great help in sorting out the relative importance of sail fullness, trim angle, mainsheet tension, luff tension and vang tension. The result for me is faster sailing and better finishing positions.

Winning a sailboat race starts with proper sail trim. Marchaj describes in great detail sail aerodynamic throry with illustrative wind tunnel measurements and clear diagrams that allow me to understand the basic concepts. This understanding allows me to focus on the important aspects of sail trim during a race so I can continuously maximize my boat speed.

He explains how to use wool streamers to show what the flow is on the lee side of the sail. The use of wool streamers allows me to rapidly trim the sail to an optimum point.

Rating:
Summary: First-class overview of the physics of sailing
Review: This is the first book of Marchaj's I have read, at the advice of the Amateur Yacht Research Society. It is an excellent survey of the physics of sail power, focusing primarily on sail issues. It is a fascinating read for any sailor who cares about the performance of their vessel or is curious about an explanation of sail physics beyond the five-minute airfoil explanation.