SEAttle, WA
SAIL TRIM & BOAT SPEED
Powered By North U
I had the privilege of attending a sail trim seminar and wanted to express my gratitude for such a great program. The information, the instructor, and the materials were first-rate, and our boat will be faster this year because of it.
Doug N. ~ Bellingham WA
The instructors grasp of the material and informal manner put the class at ease and allowed for great interaction. Tremendous knowledge and entertaining too!
J. Franklin
Why Attend A Seminar?
In-person seminars offer personal interaction with instructors. You can ask questions, seek clarifications, and get feedback tailored to your needs and skill level. Seminars also provide an opportunity to engage with the sailing community and make connections with other local sailors.What Will I Learn?
This Sail Trim & Boat Speed seminar covers sail trim on all points of sail. Upwind topics include jib trim, mainsail trim, and helming. Downwind courses cover symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers as well as tips for those who sail under jib and main only. See below for more information.Who Should Take This Seminar?
This seminar is geared toward sailors of all levels. It teaches you how to improve your sail trim so that you can sail faster. You can use your newfound speed to beat a fleet of one-design boats to the finish line or simply to reach your cruising destination faster.Powered by North U
North U has been the leader in performance sailing courses since 1980. Their programs offer the latest in sailing techniques in an engaging interactive format that makes the course fun and effective. North U seminars feature great instructors – expert sailors with years of teaching experience.SAILING UPWIND
Sailing efficiently upwind - against the force that drives us - is a marvel of modern design. This seminar provides you with a fundamental understanding of the forces behind upwind sailing as well as nuances of trim to optimize upwind performance.
Upwind topics include mainsail and jib trim, helming, and a special "Trim Solutions" section to solve the most baffling problems in upwind performance. The curriculum shows how angle of attack, depth, and twist combine to control upwind power, and how to change trim to improve performance. The interactive Sail Trim Simulator allows you to see how changes in sail controls change sail shape and performance, while video clips show real-life trim and performance techniques.
Sailing Downwind
Sailing downwind is easy. Optimizing downwind performance is tricky. The downwind sail trim courses cover both symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers and show how the coordinated efforts of the full team provide subtle but critical improvements in downwind performance.
You'll learn how to control and optimize spinnaker shape with refinements that take you beyond the basics. You'll also learn how to coordinate trim, helm, and crew weight to sail faster, deeper, and with more control.
We also cover differences in design and trim techniques that distinguish symmetric and asymmetric trim. Plus we cover non-spinnaker trim for those who like to sail under jib and main only.
COMPLETE LIST OF TOPICS
- The Racing Pyramid
- Performance Analysis
- Theory in Brief
- Goal Oriented Trim
- Genoa Trim
- Mainsail Trim
- Helmsmanship
- Target Boat speed
- Total Power Trim
- Trim, Speed, Balance
- Trim Solutions
- Initial Spinnaker Trim
- Reaching Trim
- Running Trim
- Light Air Performance
- Heavy Air Control
- Pole Height & Spinnaker Shape
- Initial Asymmetric Trim
- Reaching Trim
- Running Trim
- Tackline Settings
- Jib Reaching
- Running Trim
SAIL TRIM SIMULATOR
The simulator models upwind trim and performance as never before. Years in development, the simulator uses the power of the North Sails Design Suite to model upwind trim and performance with unprecedented accuracy – in both the depiction of sail shape and performance data. Adjust every control. View from every angle. Test in a full selection of wind speeds and sea states. See the results.
TEXTBOOKS
The North U Performance Trim book gives complete coverage to upwind and downwind sail trim and boat handling, including mainsail and genoa trim, helming, and the trim and handling of both conventional and asymmetric spinnakers. Learn how the angle of attack, depth, and twist affect performance. See how changes in pole position change spinnaker shape. Understand your options for spinnaker takedowns. Special sections including boat handling skills and drills show you how to turn your crew into a team. Packed with illustrations, written to be read, the 208-page book will teach you techniques to sail faster.
The North U Performance Trim and North U Performance Racing Tactics books are NOT included in the registration fee, and will not be available to buy in person at the seminar. We strongly recommend you order any books in advance from the American Sailing Online Store.
ON-DEMAND CONTENT
To complement the in-person seminars we are offering attendees the option to also own the online classes. Get instant access to these on-demand classes when you register and prepare for your seminar today. Plus you'll have unlimited access so after the seminar is over you have the opportunity to review topics as often as you need.
YOUR HOST
seattle sailing clubSince its inception, Seattle Sailing Club has been a cornerstone of sailing on Puget Sound, blending the thrill of the water with a vibrant community. With a mission to make sailing fun and accessible, the Club has become one of the most active American Sailing certification schools in the nation, known for its professional, safety-focused, and enjoyable courses taught by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed and American Sailing-certified instructors.
Beyond the boats, the Club thrives on its welcoming community spirit. From flotillas and races to seminars, women’s programs, and lively social events, Seattle Sailing Club is a hub for sailors of all levels. Whether you’re just learning to sail or have crossed oceans, the Club invites you to join a thriving community of great sailors and even greater friends. Learn more at seattlesailing.com.
THe venue
corinthian Yacht ClubCorinthian Yacht Club of Seattle (CYC) has been a cornerstone of sailing excellence and camaraderie since its founding in the early 1940s by a group of Seattle sailors committed to creating an inclusive and competitive racing club. Nestled in Shilshole Bay Marina, CYC has become a hub of maritime activity, offering a robust calendar of over 150 days of racing annually, making it one of the most active sailing clubs in the nation.
From hosting world-class events like the 1990 Goodwill Games sailboat races and the 2009 US Snipe Women’s Nationals to welcoming the 2024 J/24 Worlds, CYC is synonymous with racing professionalism both on and off the water. Whether competing in high-level championships or casual Friday night races, sailors at CYC embrace the thrill of competition, often paired with the club’s signature post-regatta gatherings featuring Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktails.
Beyond racing, CYC offers year-round cruising, social events, and educational programs from its unique floating clubhouse. From organized destination races to off-season cruising adventures, members exemplify the motto that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” With a rich history and a vibrant community, Corinthian Yacht Club continues to foster a love for sailing and a deep sense of connection among Puget Sound’s boating enthusiasts. Learn more at cycseattle.org
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Mark has served as U.S. Coach for three World Championship teams and is a former US Olympic Sailing Coach. He is renowned as among the world’s finest seminar leaders. Mark has taught literally hundreds of seminars and clinics to sailing groups of every description. His racing clinics have been held in five countries worldwide. [READ MORE]
Saturday, February 15th, 2025
9:00AM - 4:00PM PT
Corinthian Yacht Club
7755 Seaview Avenue NW, Seattle WA 98117
