Igor Stropnikvideo
How to sail a Catamaran in 2 min
May 31, 2026 · 2 min · 11K views
Sailor relaxes aboard catamaran under full sail downwind
What this video covers
A catamaran rudder extension works in reverse — push to go left, pull to go right.Watch The mainsail is controlled by the traveller (centered for upwind, eased out for downwind) and the mainsheet; the jib is controlled by its sheet, released and trimmed on each tack.0:05 Sailing upwind requires tensioning both the mainsheet and traveller close to center; the boat cannot point directly into the wind, so reaching the windward mark requires tacking — changing direction so the wind shifts from one side to the other.0:20 The mainsail is self-tacking; the jib sheet must be released on one side and pulled on the other.0:57 For a beam reach, ease the jib slightly and move the traveller out.0:58 For downwind sailing, catamarans should not sail dead downwind butterfly-style as a monohull might; instead, gybe downwind in a zigzag, keeping the wind at an angle to maintain speed.1:44 A gybe requires easing the mainsail across and re-trimming the jib sheet.1:35 The practical rule: catamarans sail most efficiently downwind by gybing at an angle, not running straight.
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