What adjustment can be made to decrease the power of sails?

To decrease the power of sails, adjusting the angle of attack and adding twist or flattening the sail is an effective method. When the angle of attack is decreased, it reduces the amount of lift generated by the sail, which in turn lessens the driving force created by the wind. Flattening the sail also contributes to this effect by allowing the airflow over the sail to remain more streamlined, minimizing drag and reducing power.

Adding twist to the sail adjusts how the sail interacts with the wind at different heights. Increased twist allows the upper portion of the sail to depower while the lower section can still maintain some power, effectively controlling the balance and reducing excessive heeling or speed in certain wind conditions. This approach is essential for fine-tuning the sail's performance depending on the wind intensity and direction, leading to better sail management and overall control of the vessel.

Increasing the size of the sail would typically increase its power, while changing the sail color does not influence aerodynamics or power at all. Using a larger boom could impact handling or sail shape, but it would not effectively decrease power either.