{"id":195,"date":"2025-07-22T14:44:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T14:44:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=195"},"modified":"2025-07-22T14:44:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T14:44:25","slug":"5-expert-tips-to-help-you-better-understand-sailing-heel-angles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=195","title":{"rendered":"5 expert tips to help you better understand sailing heel angles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t just sit on the rail! Heel angle trim is key in keelboats, as Chris ‘Twiggy\u2019 Grube explains to Andy Rice<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Keelboat sailors obsess about maintaining the optimum angle of heel. According to Chris \u2018Twiggy\u2019 Grube, it\u2019s a good obsession to have, and keeping consistently to that ideal heel is a vital goal for success on the race course. \u201cIt\u2019s about getting the right amount of angle on the rudder and making sure you\u2019ve got good flow over both foils,\u201d says Twiggy.<\/p>\n

Every class has a known optimum heel angle, although this will probably vary across different wind and wave conditions. \u201cIn the J\/70 we\u2019re aiming at 8\u00b0 of heel in super-light conditions, but once we\u2019re up to full power conditions we\u2019re aiming for 12\u00b0, and an absolute max of 14\u00b0. The J\/70 has a short keel so any more than that and you\u2019re slipping sideways and losing grip in the water.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe J\/70 also runs a very neutral helm, there\u2019s not much feel in the rudder so it\u2019s tempting to let the boat heel a bit more to leeward, just to get a bit more weather helm and a bit more bite,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

Twiggy warns against this temptation, but admits there are few shortcuts to getting comfortable with such a neutral helm other than more time in the boat.<\/p>\n

Whatever the wind and wave conditions, accurate setup of the rig will make it a lot easier to achieve consistent heel angle. So assuming you\u2019ve got the static rig settings in the right place, here are Twiggy\u2019s best tips for achieving that optimum angle of attack on an ever-changing race course.<\/p>\n

Have a heel monitor<\/h2>\n

Make sure one person on the boat is tasked with keeping an eye on heel angle \u2013 your \u2018heel angle monitor\u2019. In a Cape 31 it would probably be someone on the foredeck crew, while in the J\/70 it\u2019s normally my role as jib trimmer. It\u2019s also important to have feedback from the helmsman about what they\u2019re feeling through the rudder, and if they\u2019re struggling with too much load on the helm.<\/p>\n

Build your own mental gauge and spatial awareness of what the right amount of heel feels like. Of course you can \u2013 and should \u2013 use the electronics to keep you informed about heel angle too, but there\u2019s always a bit of time lag in what they\u2019re telling you, so using instinct and feel is always your most useful and up-to-the-moment gauge of optimum heel.<\/p>\n

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Ideal heel angle with vary from boat to boat. Photo: Cavan Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Body weight is key<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re sailing in anything less than full-power conditions, then body weight is your main tool for maintaining constant heel angle. As jib trimmer on the J\/70 I\u2019m the first to swing my legs inboard and go down to leeward. You\u2019re always on your toes, never sitting down for too long, ready to move up or down as required.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot you can do together as a crew if you all move in unison, leaning out for a gust or inboard for a lull. You can put additional power into the boat by bringing the traveller up, but be careful not to bring the boom end too far to windward of centreline or you\u2019ll put the brakes on.<\/p>\n

Backstay first<\/h2>\n

Once the breeze has built to the point where everyone is full hiking and crew weight is out as far as possible, now you\u2019re adjusting the rig to vary the power through any changes in the breeze. On most keelboats the backstay is your first point of adjustment.<\/p>\n

Keep winding on the backstay up to the point where you see those starvation creases in the luff of the mainsail. Don\u2019t go any further than this. The last thing you want to do is ease the traveller to leeward \u2013 only do this when you\u2019ve adjusted everything else first. It\u2019s not necessarily true for all keelboats, but on the J\/70 keep tightening the vang, and tension the Cunningham.<\/p>\n

Just be aware that pulling on the Cunningham tends to put you in a lower mode, so any time you need to maintain your pointing ability \u2013 out of a busy start line or living in a thin lane with a boat tight to leeward \u2013 don\u2019t pull on the Cunningham too hard.<\/p>\n

Article continues below\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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5 Expert Tips: Your complete guide to mainsail trimming<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Experienced sailor though he may be, Alain Sign has had his hands full getting to grips with the role of\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n