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TURNING
To tack or turn the boat into and across the wind to the
opposite direction (also known as "coming about"),
follow the points of sail guide illustration and take the
boat to the close hauled point of sail. This is when you
are nearly 35 degrees from sailing straight into the wind.
With the boat moving forward and not stalling, push the
tiller away from you slowly. When the boat is pointing
straight into the wind the boat will become level. Ease
the mainsheet trim out just a little. At this time move
your body to the other side of the boat, switch hands
with tiller and mainsheet and begin to bring the rudder
back to straight. The crew should move across the
trampoline at the same time. The crew is responsible to
ease the jib sheet just after the main sail is released and
sheet the jib onto the new course before the mainsheet
is trimmed. This action by the crew will prevent the boat
stalling head to wind. As the boat comes across the
wind and falls off onto the opposite, close hauled point
of sail, bring the tiller all the way back to the straight
position and pull the mainsail back in for the proper sail
trim. If you stall pointing into the wind and you cannot
steer the boat, refer back to the sail power description
concerning getting stuck in irons.
When sailing downwind, the turn from one point of sail
across to the other is called a jibe. The jibe is completed
by turning away from the wind (falling off) to the
opposite point of sail rather than into the wind as when
tacking. Care must be taken when attempting a jibe as
the boat will be at full power and you cannot easily de-
power it without turning back into the wind. Also, be
aware that the boat will be less stable in this maneuver
as the sail will now have to swing clear across from fully
out one side of the boat to fully out the other.
To start a jibe, turn the boat away from the wind and let
the sail out slowly. Keep the turn going at a steady rate
and begin pulling the sail back in as the boat nears the
straight downwind direction. This will help prevent the
sail from slamming all the way across when the sail fills
from the opposite side. Duck below the sail to avoid
getting hit as the wind fills the sail from the opposite side
and swings across the boat. Attempt to control the
speed of the sail while it crosses the deck by
maintaining some tension on the mainsheet. Then ease
the mainsheet out quickly as the boat turns past the
downwind direction onto the new point of sail. Trim the
sail correctly for the desired point of sail.
LAUNCHING THE BOAT
Launching the boat is easiest when the boat can be
pointed into the wind to keep it de-powered and floated
into deep enough water to lower the rudders. It is
possible to launch in shallow water with the rudders
partly up. Try not to steer with too much force on the
rudders until you lock them in the down position. Keep
the sail loose and trimmed out completely until you can
power up and steer away from any obstacle. Trim the
sail in quickly to get the boat moving forward and steer
away from the wind slightly to prevent stalling into the
wind.
When launching from a beach where the wind is blowing
from the beach towards the water you simply keep the
boat pointed into the wind. Drift backwards with the
rudders in the up position and your weight towards the
front of the boat. Stay forward as the boat drifts into
deeper water.You can hold the sail out to catch wind
backwards to increase reverse speed. Then move to the
rear and lower the rudders. It will be easiest to lower
only one rudder while moving backwards. Then lower
the other when the boat begins to move forward again.
Be aware of the intended direction you wish to sail when
lowering the rudder and steer the boat as the rudder
drops into the water. There will be a lot of force on the
rudder to turn one way or the other when going
backwards. Plan ahead and steer the rudders so that
they will be pointing in that direction before dropping it
into the water. Steer the boat while going backwards so
the bow turns away from the wind and toward the
direction you wish to sail. As the sail begins to fill with
wind, the boat will slow then begin to move forward.
Trim in the sail and off you go.
RIGHTING THE BOAT
If you tip the boat over, stay with the boat. The boat will
not sink and is easy to right. It is not necessary, but it is
easier, to right the
boat when the bow
and the mast are
pointed into the
wind as in the
following diagram.
There will be less
wind resistance
and better control
in this position. Be
sure the mainsheet
is released, then
swim around to the
bottom of the boat.
Skipper and crew should climb up on the hull and stand
up. Using the righting line, skipper and crew pull the
righting line that is against the upper hull and hold the