Yourbestsailvideo
"Donkey ears" sailing
17 June 2025 · 1 min · 1K views
What this video covers
"Donkey ears" (orejas de burro) downwind sailing runs dead downwind at 11–12 knots of wind, achieving 5.4 knots boat speed with a poled-out genoa and full mainsail.1:04 The genoa is set on a whisker pole with four control lines: a foreguy (retenida), a topping lift (mantilla), and the pole's own foreguy and afterguy.0:15 The mainsail carries its own boom vang to prevent an accidental gybe.0:15 At 20 knots the recommended configuration shifts to genoa alone, still poled out, with the mainsail dropped to reduce gybe risk.1:21 Reefing the poled genoa is straightforward because the fixed pole rig allows the furler to roll the sail exactly as it would without the pole.1:34 The crew reports the configuration as exceptionally stable and comfortable, with minimal rolling.0:46 The technique is presented as part of a sailing course, with the instructor noting that few sailors master it.0:56
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