Mainsail sheeting systems
Efficient control of the mainsail is not solely something for racers and other speed freaks to worry about. If you can’t easily trim the mainsail of a cruising boat then it’s impossible to depower in gusts, which will make the boat more difficult to steer. In any case, when you’re reasonably well powered up, the sheet needs to be eased if you have to bear away to avoid a collision.
On smaller boats it’s hard to beat a cockpit-mounted traveller, which gives easy, quick and accurate control of the sail shape when helming. This can make a huge difference in gusty conditions, when excess power may need
