Mainsheet bridles

Originally posted by pondlife1736 As an aside, I've always found the EPS sinks its tail when I move my not inconsiderable bulk behind the mainsheet through the tacks. Attempts to cross ahead of the mainsheet have not been elegant! Then I tried the D0 with its rear bridle and off boom sheeting, an arrangement I hadnt tried before. This was such a revelation in allowing me to keep weight forward that I'm now considering converting the EPS to rear bridle.

That is exactly how I had to sail the D0 to not sink the tail. Not sure why more boats (especially singlehanders) don't put the mainsheet further forward. Was looking at the first Aero to arrive at our club and was also thinking how far back the mainsheet is.

The phantom may have it tied on the centre strop but it is deliberately long so that when you sheet in it is off centre preventing you from over sheeting. As the rig is dropped back the boom is further out but this isn't a problem because you are depowering big time by that point.

Certainly a rear bridle is better for keeping the boom where you want it but then you have a lot more mainsheet...normally. But you can get away with 1:1 on the front sheet because the purchase is on the back. On normal centre sheeting boats you'll need 3:1 or 4:1 as there is less moment to pull against.