How to Trim Sails with Carol Hasse, Part 1 – Parts & Points of Sail

13 Responses So Far to “How to Trim Sails with Carol Hasse, Part 1 – Parts & Points of Sail”

• 

  Lorenc Kodheli says:

  When is the book coming out? It would be nice if she wrote a book on this.

• 

  Robert (Bob) Godfrey says:

  I have been sailing for many, many years and have often wondered exactly how a sail was constructed in order to achieve good performance and this video is simply excellent! Great work Carol, thank you for sharing your experience with us all. Please keep up the great work.

• Pingback: Off Center Harbor – the Hits just keep on coming | Howard Boat Works, Inc.
• 

  David Tew says:

  This comprehensive explanation of how sails work is worth reading: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCcQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northsails.com%2FRADUploads%2FHow-Sails-Work.pdf&ei=tRPEVLWSMsWuggTAsoTgDw&usg=AFQjCNGOvxoJx6m6bmcEy-lkzzoK8x38UA&bvm=bv.84349003,d.eXY

  • 

    David and Margaret Tew says:

    The link I posted here about how sails more accurately provide motive power (it’s not by ‘lift’ like an airplane wing or a ‘slot’ [Bernoulli] effect) is described most usefully and clearly in Tom Whidden’s 1990 book “The Art and Science of Sails”, Chapters Five and Six. Tom was tactician and sailmaker for Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup defenders as well as president of North Sails. He knows how sails work and it’s both more interesting and complex than commonly believed.

    • 

      Nate Rooks says:

      Hi Dave – that link isn’t working for me, I’m just getting a 404 error on the northsails site.

      Let me know if you can find a different link, as I’d love to read this.

• 

  James Purdy says:

  She is very informative and clearly covers topics not usually mentioned in other videos.

  It’s late November and I can’t wait to test her points. In RI, that will be a while.

• 

  Keith Cheney says:

  Yes, David’s comment (below) is spot on. This is a very informative video that should be seen by new and experienced sailors alike. Thank you, Carol, for a great video series!

• 

  Shaun Wallace says:

  I have yet to build my first boat, but having inherited an industrial strength sewing machine have built two sets of sails myself. However, not until watching Carol’s simple explanation did I understand the relationship of warp, fill, and bias. Needless to say my first set of sails were a terrific lesson in how to fail at constructing a sail. The main setup pitifully largely due to my misunderstanding of bias. The jib was a better attempt though the chamber was minimal. My second set was a kit with pre-cut panels, and what a world of difference. The warp and fill were oriented properly, and the built-in chamber propels my boat noticeably faster. Ironically I still did not comprehend what was making the new sails better. Thank you Carol! In 12 minutes you have helped the puzzle pieces fall together.
  For those of you considering constructing you own sails, I highly recommend the process.

• 

  Edward Childs says:

  What is the easiest way to measure the camber to chord ratio on an existing sail if you don’t have the original spec from the sail maker?

• 

  Paul Atkins says:

  I’ve been sailing for over thirty years and though I knew all of this, but drinking in this great series of videos always teaches me something. Thankyou! I am treating this site like a box of the best chocolates, savouring every post.

• 

  Peter Brackenbury says:

  I agree with David. A wonderful intro to a topic that can be intimidating to a person like me.

• 

  David Gruendel says:

  I’ve certainly never run across a more instructive 12 minutes on sail construction and trim. As usual, Carol is very impressive. I look forward to part 2, and hopefully more thereafter.