When to use "dumb sails" and at which angle to turn them to the left/right instead?

  • Xachariah77
    Seafarer

    Hi all,

    as most of you are probably already aware, when sailing straight into the wind, the best sail position is to have the sails dead-on in the middle. Somewhat counterintuitive, but that's the way it is.

    What I've been wondering though, and despite google and forum searches have not been able to answer, is the following: At which angle of wind does it again make sense to turn the sails to the right or the left? E.g., if the wind comes at 30° from the left, is the best option to keep the sails in the middle, or should one turn them already to the right? What about 20°? What about 10°?

    Does anyone know if there is any reliable data out there that helps answer the question?

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  • Foxdodge
    Champion
    Insider
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @xachariah77 Reliable data no.

    But the answer is that you want to match the wind direction as if the sails were the correct way around.

  • ajm123
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    If someone runs dead wind I keep cutting left and right keeping in wind.

    Eventually they mess up or end up in a corner of a map and then it's up to you to make the board.

  • KommodoreYenser
    Lord
    Insider

    @xachariah77 In my 1k+ hours experience:

    • Sloop, sails straight forward unless you are able to catch full billow. This is a minor difference vs having them to the side without full billow but it is enough to catch another sloop who does try and catch side wind without full billow.

    • Galleon and Brig, always angle sails to try and catch any wind. If you are sailing DIRECTLY into the wind, have sails straight forward. There is a multi-sail penalty if your sails are not trying to catch wind at all.

  • Schwammlgott
    Champion

    @xachariah77 on the sloop it doesn't matter, as long as it doesn't come directly from the side, so where the wind catches the sail, you are ALWAYS faster with stupid sails...this bug is sloop only...the brig and galleon, I'm not sure, I just set the sail to stupid when I go directly into the wind...maybe 5°, or 10° I put it to the side, seemed to me right

  • Galactic Geek
    Seafarer
    Founder

    In a sloop, if the wind is blowing ↖️⬆️↗️, adjust your sails toward the wind. If the wind is blowing ⬅️↙️⬇️↘️➡️, keep your sails facing straight toward front and center.

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