Sailpower - Sail Trim & Performance Masterclass
Cruising Yacht Sail Setting & Rig Optimisation
Confident sail trim transforms both performance and comfort at sea.
Our Sail Trim & Performance Masterclass is designed for cruising yachtsmen and women who want to move beyond basic sail setting and develop a clear, practical understanding of how to shape and balance a yacht properly under sail.
Although not a racing course, it is delivered to a high standard by instructors with extensive yacht racing experience. The techniques taught are directly applicable to cruising sailors seeking greater efficiency, smoother handling and improved passage speeds. The course is also highly valuable for race crews wanting to strengthen their fundamental and intermediate sail trim knowledge.
What This Course Is About
Many competent sailors can hoist and sheet sails correctly. Far fewer truly understand how the controls interact to influence sail shape, slot effect and overall balance.
This weekend focuses on:
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Understanding sail shape and draft position
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Managing twist in mainsail and headsail
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Correct use of halyard tension and Cunningham
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Outhaul adjustment and foot depth
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Traveller positioning and its aerodynamic impact
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Genoa car positioning and sheet lead geometry
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Spinnaker trim and control fundamentals
We explore not just what to adjust, but why.
For example, easing the mainsheet traveller does more than change heel angle; it alters the relationship between the mainsail and genoa, influencing slot shape and airflow. Participants gain a practical understanding of how small adjustments affect the entire sail plan.
Developing a Balanced Sail Plan
The course places particular emphasis on the relationship between sails. You will learn how:
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The mainsail and genoa interact aerodynamically
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Incorrect slot management can cause back-winding
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Sail balance influences helm pressure
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Over-sheeting or excessive twist reduces efficiency
Through structured coaching and repeated practice, you will begin to anticipate the yacht’s response to trim changes rather than reacting to it.
The aim is clarity, not complication.
Beyond Fair-Weather Sailing
We also address heavy-weather considerations, including:
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Rigging and setting a storm jib
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Rigging and use of a storm trysail
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Reducing sail effectively while maintaining balance
Understanding these systems in a calm training environment builds confidence for more demanding passages.
Who Is This Course For?
This masterclass is aimed at a similar level to our Boat Handling course and is ideal for:
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RYA Day Skipper and above
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Yacht owners seeking greater efficiency and understanding
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Cruising sailors preparing for longer passages
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Race crews wanting to strengthen their technical foundations
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Improvers keen to develop proper sail trim knowledge early
It may also appeal to lower-level sailors who are enthusiastic to advance their technical understanding of sail setting.
The BOSS Approach
As with all BOSS courses, the emphasis is on hands-on learning with meaningful participation. Expect detailed explanation, on-the-water experimentation, and time to feel the difference between poorly trimmed and well-balanced sails.
By the end of the weekend you will:
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Understand how to shape sails deliberately
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Recognise inefficiencies quickly
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Trim for improved balance and speed
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Feel more confident managing changing wind strengths
This is not about racing tactics. It is about sailing your yacht properly.
Based at Hamble Point Marina near Southampton, with access to the varied wind and tidal conditions of the Solent, this course offers an ideal training ground for developing practical sail trim expertise. If you want to learn more about the power of sails with lots of practice looking at the finer points of sail trim - this is the weekend for you.
Teaching ratio on board 5:1
