Yourbestsailvideo
Leech-twist relationship
August 19, 2025 · 17 min · 3K views
What this video covers
Sail twist is defined as the angular difference between the chord of a sail’s lower section and its upper section.2:35 Increasing tension on the leech straightens the sail and reduces this twist, while decreasing leech tension increases it.5:53 On a mainsail, the mainsheet serves two distinct functions depending on the point of sail.10:00 When sailing upwind, the mainsheet acts primarily as a tool to control leech tension and twist, while the traveler is used to adjust the boom's position relative to the centerline.10:31 Sailors should position the traveler to center the boom without moving it past the centerline, as doing so creates a backward force component that acts as a brake.13:29 On reaching points of sail, the mainsheet angle becomes too horizontal to effectively tension the leech.14:29 In these conditions, the boom vang replaces the mainsheet as the primary control for leech tension and twist, while the mainsheet is used to orient the sail.15:07
More from Yourbestsail
From Yourbestsail — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.