KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Bending the mast is the main mechanism to flatten a mainsail.
- Its not just bending the mast that matters. It needs to bend by the right amount, in the right places at the right time.
- The effect of rig tension on mast bend will depend on spreader configurations AND the relative position of the shroud bases.
- The mast needs to bend to suit the luff round cut into the mainsail for the sail to perform as intended.
- As wind increases we aim to flatten the top of a sail first so we should bend the top of the mast first.