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Sailing Basics | 39
hobiecat.com
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 for easing the
jib sheet just after the main sail is released and sheeting the jib onto the new
course before the mainsheet is trimmed. This action by the crew will prevent the
boat from 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 main sail 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.
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