Main sail

Question 1

What is the purpose of the Topping Lift

Answer 1

To raise the boom, so the sail can be lifted and lowed easier

Question 2

What is the purpose of the Halliard

Answer 2

To raise the main sail

Question 3

What is the purpose of the downhaul

Answer 3

To pull down the main sail, this needs to be running free when the main sail is being lifted

Question 4

What is the purpose of the purchase

Answer 4

To pull up the last part of the sail and make it tight, it is the same rope as the Halliard, but is geared to make it pull tight

Question 5

What is the purpose of the kicker

Answer 5

A line that connects the boom to the mast and will exert a downward force on the boom and will control the shape of the sail

Question 6

What colour is the halliard and where is it located on the pinrail

Answer 6

blue and white, starboard pinrail closest to the stern

Question 7

What colour is the purchase and where is it located on the pinrail

Answer 7

blue and white, port pinrail

Question 8

What is the mainsheet and where is it located

Answer 8

It is a rope that is attacked the the back of the boom and is used to control the main sail. it is located in the cockpit

Question 9

What it the mainsheet track

Answer 9

a track that is used to center a roller where the mainsheet is connected to

Question 10

What are the steps to raise the main sail

Answer 10

You need to be sailing into wind, center the mainsheet track, make sure the downhaul runs free, raise the boom using the topping lift, raise the main sail using the halliard, when you can’t lift anymore tighten the mainsail using the purchase, lower the boom using the topping lift and control the shape of the sail with the mainsheet

Question 11

How to lower the mainsail

Answer 11

You need to be sailing into the wind, and you need to use the topping lift to raise the boom, then you need to let the halliard fly until it is dropped as far as it goes, then you need to use the downhaul to pull down the remainder of the sail down as far as it goes. Then you need to lower the boom using the topping lift and you need to lower it back into the position where it rests, in the holder for it. Then you need to put the mainsheet roller into the side of where the mainsail is, then you need to flake the sail to keep it compact, then tie the sail to the boom using sailties with a slip knot.