The outhaul is a line that adjusts the foot of a sailboat’s mainsail, affecting its tension, camber, power, and heel. It is part of the rig system and is attached to the clew of the mainsail. Wind conditions determine how much to tighten or loosen the outhaul.
In sailing terminology, an outhaul is a line that pulls back and shapes the foot, or lower edge, of a sailboat’s mainsail to increase or decrease the tension and degree of sail camber, most commonly known as draft or belly of the sail, as well as its power and heel. Tightening the outlet stretches the foot of the mainsail more along the arm, increasing tension and giving it a flatter look, as well as reducing stem and heel. Conversely, slackening the start reduces the tension on the sail, giving it more curvature, more power and a higher heel. The outhaul is part of the system of foils, usually ropes, known as the rig of a fore-and-aft rigged sailboat, that is, one where the sails run parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the sailboat’s keel.
Attached to a metal grommet on the clew of the mainsail, its trailing or trailing lower corner, the trailing end of the outlet is usually a combination of metal anchor, pin, and wire rope on the boom. The wire rope path rounds a block, or pulley, which leads into the arm and runs forward to emerge as a blade at the opposite end of the arm. There it is secured to a cleat after running around a winch, if large sails are used.
When the outhaul is loosened, the tension decreases and the throw increases, which increases the speed and heel of the boat. Tightening the output increases tension, reduces throw, and reduces power. It acts directly on the bottom edge of the mainsail, so tightening and slackening the takeoff also affects the camber of the mainsail. The mainsail on a sailboat is essentially an airfoil that provides lift and propulsion as it redirects and channels the flow of the wind. Camber is the degree of asymmetry between the upper and lower curves of an airfoil. When the outlet is tightened or slackened, it effectively reduces or increases the mainsail’s pitch and changes its aerodynamic properties.
The wind condition is the main factor to take into account when deciding how much to tighten or loosen the start. Light wind conditions generally require a slack start to create more belly and greater draft in the sail. High wind conditions generally require a tight start, which increases stress on the toe of the sail, flattening and blowing out the sail to prevent excessive leaning of the sailboat to one side or the other. Moderate wind conditions require a moderately tight start.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
