XCAT Sail, Owner'S Manual

Page: 38 / 68

XCAT Sail
Manual XCAT Sail Page 38 Edition: 05/2023
Wind offshore: Leave the XCAT stern-first off the beach. You should first start
at least five boat lengths from shore to allow enough room to turn on a room
wind course.
Wind parallel to the shore (best conditions): Launch the XCAT forward or also
backward into the water and start away from the shore on a downwind
course.
If you are sailing in pairs or threes, discuss the casting off maneuver before
casting off. In which direction will you cast off? Who will steer? Who will
operate the genoa? After launching, the foresailor holds the bow into the
wind. Hold the XCAT only on the windward side of the bow and never stand
between the boat and the beach in case of waves! The helmsman/woman
get on the XCAT from windward, lowers the rudder (observe water depth)
and clears the mainsheet. After checking the free space, the foresailor
pushes the XCAT past him, pushes the bow to leeward and also gets on.
Tighten the mainsheet and let’s go.
Landing on the beach
The first priority when landing is to reduce the speed! To do this, also furl
the genoa before mooring. To familiarize yourself with the mooring
conditions, you should make a "near-attack" about five boat lengths from
your destination. This will keep you maneuverable and give you time to plan
your mooring maneuver. Once the water is standing deep, you should enter
the water and pull the XCAT wading onto the beach. When doing so, do not
forget to catch up the rudder in time.
Wind parallel to the shore: Sail with little speed to the beach and short push
up just before the beach. Then the bow is already in the wind.
Wind offshore: Mooring by tacking with genoa assistance. The foresailer
jumps off in the shallow water and keeps the bow in the wind. If you sail
alone, you can also sail upwind directly onto the beach. Since the XCAT has
no centerboards, you only have to make sure to swing up the rudder in time.
Strong onshore wind: Before mooring, recover the mainsail and furl the
genoa so that you can sail onto the beach at reduced speed. When doing so,
do not forget to swing up the rudder in time.