D.
Some hints on staying
out of trouble ...
When the wind is blowing offshore,
check its strength carefully. What
looks like a calm day on the water
may in fact be a real howler and you
will have to sail upwind to get back.
Always start out by sailing upwind or
close reaching, especially while you
are learning. Don't let yourself get
downwind of your home base. It is a
lot easier
to
return
by sailing
downwind or broad reaching than by
beating into the wind.
Remember-your
rudder won't work
unless the boat is MOVING. If you
are in a close spot, sailing towards a
beach or pier, you will have to turn
away from the wind enough to get the
sails full and pick up speed before
you can turn away from the shore.
WRONG
Skipper keeps trying
to turn into wind, no
speed, can't tack,
drifts into shore.
WIND
+-~
3. Trim sails
and start sailing
/lIv~~\
V
RIGHT
.\
Turns toward
1\-"
shore to pick;::
... )
up speed then
\ : :
is able to tack
.~
and sail away.
~~~
' ..••
I
'"
E2r
Skipper puts
tiller to port
WIND
t,.
DESIRED
~
COURSE
""110:
WIND
If you are stalled out, with no speed,
pointing into the wind, you will start to
drift backwards. Now the tiller and
rudder will work in reverse. Think of
the tiller as a skate on ice, or a wheel,
and move it the way you want the
stern to move. Have a crew member
hold the jib out ("back the jib") to
push the bow in the direction you
want to go.
2. Crew backs
jib to push
bow to port
16
