Posted by Adam Quinan on November 12, 2004 at 23:10:08 from 65.48.152.132 user Adam.
In Reply to: Re: 'Bent on' posted by Laurence Monkhouse on November 11, 2004 at 18:34:51:
Depowering the main is probably more modern jargon than AR would have used. However, one hears it quite often on my patch of Lake Ontario.
There are two ways its used, one is when you set the rig tensions and adjust the lines when sailing in heavier weather to reduce the effectiveness of the main. Rather like reefing but without actually reducing the sail area. The second is more of an emergency move when hit by a squall and you need to let the wind out of the sail quickly, usually by freeing a sheet or pointing into the wind.