4.1 - Introduction
4.2 - Launching
4.3 - Leaving the Beach
The RS Feva is a very rewarding boat to sail – to fully appreciate its handling, you should
be comfortable with the basic techniques of sailing small boats. If you lack confidence or
feel that a refresher is in order, there are many approved sailing schools which use the RS
Feva. See www.rya.org.uk for more information, or follow the link from www.rssailing.com
to find your local RS Academy.
While we offer you a few hints to aid your enjoyment of your new boat, they should not be
considered as a substitute for an approved course in dinghy sailing. In order to build your
confidence and familiarise yourself with your new boat, we recommend that you choose a
fairly quiet day with a steady wind for your first outing.
With the sails fully hoisted, attach the rudder to the transom. Lead the
daggerboard
retaining elastic around the mast and clip it back on itself. Leave this in place while sailing.
The boat should be wheeled into the water, keeping it head to wind as far as possible.
If you have a crew, he/she can hold the boat head to wind whilst the trolley is stowed
ashore.
If the tide is coming in as you launch, make sure that you leave the trolley far
enough up the beach that it will not be swept away.
The easiest way to get going is for the helm to hop aboard while the crew holds the boat.
The helm should put a little
daggerboard
down, with the shockcord with the plastic-tubing
cover pulled forward, then move back to his normal position, and pull gently on the rudder
downhaul
to lower some of the rudder blade. Then, s/he may instruct the crew to push the
bow off the wind and climb in. The crew will then lower the
daggerboard
as depth allows.
The shockcord acts as a friction device and a retainer when the board is fully down. Thus,
as soon as the Water is deep enough, the
daggerboard
should be fully lowered, and the
shockcord pulled back over the top of the board, so that it is secure in the event of a fully
inverted capsize.
The singlehanded sailor may choose to ask someone to help them to launch. If launching
alone, stand in the water alongside the gunwhale, holding the boat head to wind. Lower
part of the
daggerboard
and rudder, and then push the bow off the wind while hopping in.
TOP TIP
If you are using the
jib
, pulling this sail in as you leave the beach will ensure
that the bow continues to swing away from the direction that the wind is
blowing from.