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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 weigh 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. Follow the instructions on page 23 for the shroud
extenders.
As the mast and sail lift out of the water and the upper hull
begins to drop back into the water, drop down to your knees
then into the water. Be well aware of the hull and crossbar
coming down over your head. Holding the crossbar or righting
line will also insure that you remain with the boat when it is
righted. Climb aboard and continue sailing.
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