RAISING THE MAINSAIL

The mainsail is always hoisted first because it is the primary source of power and because a sailboat handles better under mainsail alone than under jib alone. Since the mainsail is attached to the mast and boom, it is also easier to control than the jib. Whether you raise the mainsail at the dock or while motoring out of the harbor, the bow of the boat should point into the wind. Check all shackles to be sure they are secure. Many are of the twist-locking type with a little groove for the pin. Make sure the pin is in the proper place. Keep enough slack in the mainsheet so that the sail will be able to be fully hoisted. It is best to keep passengers and extra crew out of the way of the boom, which will swing radically during the hoisting procedure. Keep the mainsheet clear of winches, cleats, and the stem of the boat. Be sure to stay low so you don't get hit in the head as the boom swings while the main is raised.
PREPARATION
1. Position one person at the mast at the point where the sail enters the luff groove.
2. A second crew member should be at the end of the halyard, prepared to raise the sail.
3. A third crew member (if there is one) should keep the end of the boom from jumping around by controlling the mainsheet as the sail is being raised.
4. Crew members in the cockpit should slacken the topping lift, the mainsheet, and the boom vang. Some boats use the main halyard for the boom lift, so someone will have to hold the boom while the sail is being raised.
5. Don't begin hoisting until the bow is aimed directly into the wind (except on a smaller boat).
PROCEDURE
When the skipper orders, "Hoist the mainsail":
1. Wrap the main halyard once around the winch.
2. Release sail ties.
3. Pull the halyard to start raising the sail.
4. Feed the luff of the sail into the slot to keep it from jamming. If it jams, lower the sail a few inches and hoist again.
5. The crew member on the halyard will keep pulling by hand until the sail reaches the top of the mast. Use the winch to raise the halyard if the sail gets too heavy to hoist.
FINISHING OFF
1. When the sail is at the top of the mast, take an additional wrap or two around the winch.
2. Place the winch handle in the winch and turn slowly until one vertical wrinkle appears in the luff of the sail, indicating proper tension. This wrinkle will smooth out when the boat is sailing.
3. Coil and stow the halyard.
The jib may be hoisted now, or hoisting may be delayed until the boat is in open water if you leave the dock by power.