Hi Pete,

Thanks for the technical compliment I think- I'll take it as such.
I will copy this to Dennis and Tom.
I'm glad that Hanse has seen fit to do this on the 400 as it works great.

The idea originated with mast stepped fractional rigs by Paul Elvstrom. He removed the travellers from the Yngling and the Soling. Some 2500 Ynglings sail with out Travellers.

The trim technique is to use the vang to keep the boom level the same as the traveller does and that controls the leech tension.

As the wind pressure increases use more vang.

The vang also drives the boom forward and introduces mast bend which reduces the depth of the main as it pivots the mast around the lowers. This also tightens the forestay and reduces Jib luff sag.


This in effect automatically downtrims the power in both sails but still gives height from the mainsail by maintaining a tight leech.

To trim for gusts simply ease a small amount of mainsheet at the front of the gust and then trim up immediately, which is in practice faster than a traveller as you can easily control the speed on a winch.

As the wind level decreases use less vang.

If you want to rapidly accelerate from almost stop at a start simultaneously trim on the main sheet , jib sheet and vang.

The old trick if the boom rises when easing the sheet you do not have enough vang tension, if it does not rise be careful of too much tension especially light air. Once you get used to it you will find yourself only adjusting vang for step changes say 5-10 knots or 10-15 or 15-20 etc. your choice of sails may alter this.

The same applies for luff tensions and outhaul.

The benefits are very quick trim change for gusts and better gust response without excess helm.

No traveller to trim.

Less ropes.

Easier on the crew.

No exploding travellers when jibing.

The rig is designed to trim this way. Mast sag and Luff sag are simultaneously adjusted.

Usually more height - less under trimming.

No reduction in final speed and you can maintain a better average speed especially in gusty conditions.


It works!

Best Regards

Chris Harper

ps if it's good enough for Paul it's good enough for me.