Mainsheet vs. Traveler: What Each One Actually Controls If you've spent any time around a sail trim conversation at the dock, you've probably heard two pieces of advice that sound like they contradict each other: "ease the mainsheet to depower" and "drop the traveler to depower." Both are right. They just do different jobs. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood relationships in sail trim, and it trips up new sailors and experienced ones alike. The short version: the mainsheet controls twist. The traveler controls angle of attack. Mix those two up and you'll spend a lot of time over-trimming, under-trimming, or fighting a heel angle you don't need to fight. Let's…