9
4.4 Sailing Close-Hauled and Tacking
When sailing
close-hauled
, or as close as possible to the wind, it is important
to get the
boom
as near as possible to the
centreline
. The
kicking strap
should
be firmly tensioned for
upwind
work. To pull it on, quickly put the boat
head to
wind
. You should hold the
tiller extension
across your body, with a knuckles-
up grip, enabling you to use one or two fingers as a temporary
cleat
when
adjusting the
mainsheet
.
To
tack
, push the
tiller extension
away from you and, as the boat starts to
turn, step across the
cockpit
facing forwards. Once the boat has completed
the turn, bring the
tiller
back into the centre before sitting down on the new
side, with the
tiller extension
behind your back. When you are settled, swap
the
mainsheet
and the
tiller extension
into the new hands.
If the boat slows right down and feels lifeless when
close-hauled
, you could be
sailing too close to the wind. Ease the
mainsheet
and ‘
bear off
’ away from the
wind for a while to get the boat going again.
4.5 Sailing Downwind and Gybing
When sailing
downwind
, the sail should be let out until about 90 degrees to
the centre line. To
gybe
, pull the
tiller
towards you and, as the boat starts to
turn, step across the
cockpit
facing forward. Once the boat has completed the
turn, bring the
tiller
back into the centre before sitting down on the new side,
with the
tiller extension
behind your back. Often, the
boom
will not want to
come across until you have nearly completed the
gybe
, so it often pays to give
the
mainsheet
a tweak to encourage the
boom
over at the moment that you
want it to come! Once you are settled, swap the
mainsheet
and the
tiller
extension
into the new hands.
Mind your head when you gybe!
