🔍 Key Concepts

• How easing (loosening) the mainsheet changes the angle of the boom to the wind • What happens to the shape and position of the mainsail when sailing with the wind more from astern (broad reach or run) • Difference between controlling sail shape/tension versus moving the sail up or down the mast

💭 Think About

• Picture the boom’s position when the mainsheet is tight versus when it’s eased as the wind moves further aft. Does the boom move toward the centerline or outboard? • Think about how a sail captures wind when it is more perpendicular versus more aligned with the wind. What boom position gives the sail a better ‘catch’ of a following wind? • Ask yourself which of the options describes something that is actually controlled by the mainsheet, and which describe things that other lines (like the halyard) would affect.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what line is normally used to raise or lower the head of the mainsail (is it the mainsheet or the halyard?). • Consider whether easing the mainsheet would make the boom more in line with the boat’s centerline or let it swing outboard. • Check which option best matches the idea of presenting more sail area to the apparent wind coming from astern.