What is Depowering a sail and when would you do it

OldDog

New Member
Hi All;

I am thinking about buying a Laser this spring. I have never sailed one. In reading up on them I am finding reference to various techniques and rigging adjustments to depower the sail. What is depowering and in what conditions would you want to do it?

Thanks!
 
Depowering means making the sail flatter and less powerful. On a Laser, this is done by
pulling the outhaul adjustment out, tightening the Cunningham, tightening the boom vang and easing the mainsheet traverler. Think flat sail, less power, less heel and better control. It's the difference between a C-47 wing and an F-16 wing section.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY
 

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