Main Sheet Pumping

I was watching a few youtube videos, and was wondering why they pump the main sheet? Does it do anything, and does it help you go faster?

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http://www.GetWetSailing.com It's A Great Day To Sail!

Proper upwind sailing fast will be with the windward hull barely touching the top of the water.

If you prefer, when sailing a specific heading, as the wind gust comes, ease off the main sheet, and sheet back in when gust is gone, hence main sheet pumping, or "sawing" the main.

Some prefer steering to compensate for the gusts and leave the main sheet in the same position.

Still others will use a combination of both, in smaller increments, to keep the boat at a maintained degree of heel.

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Sheet In...Max Out
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Some people pump the main while on the trap/flying a hull to dump any stalled air that is caught in the main sail.

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

what does that mean: "stalled air that is caught in the main sail." ???

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

The slow sawing of the sheets is not what I would call "pumping". Pumping would be quick in and out action to promote forward motion. Typically used in lighter winds by windsurfers and small dinghies.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I agree, I pump my larger windsurfing rigs in light air. The purpose here is to move from displacement to hydo planing speeds in marginal conditions - something that does not play a role sailing a Hobie 16. It also reqires a lot of rig twist and reflex to be effective - again something that is not really a feature of a Hobie 16. What is more, it is physically demanding with a 10m* sail - now try this with a 20m* sail of a hobie.

I think what you see in those videos is someone compensating the main for gusts. Considering the ration of 6:1 or 8:1 main sheet blocks and the amount of line that needs to run through to cause a change of 1 * in the sail...

Patrick