This article is a continuation on how to tack in moderate winds, particularly on small bodies of water. On a small lake, you can only sail so far before you simply just run out of water and are forced to turn around. But what happens when you the wind is blowing at 15mph and now you have to turn? Do you tack or jibe? I would suggest in this case you tack or turn upwind, thus avoiding capsizing or damage to your sailboat. Your best bet is to anticipate the turn at least 500 yards before the shoreline. This way you won't run out of water or time before completing the turn. Situations like this allow sailors to sharpen their sailing skills.
Sailing Tip: However, sometimes it's best to recognize your limitations as a sailing beginner, thus preventing damage to the sailboat or causing any injury to yourself or others. It's better to be safe than sorry and to be able to sail another day! So whenever a situation gets to be to overwhelming, the best thing to do is lower the sails and motor home with the outboard.
As stated above, it's your call whether to tack or jibe depending on your situation. However you choose, be sure to duck your head so the boom doesn't hit you or anyone else onboard causing injury. Next you should change sides of the sailing vessel from the starboard to the port or vice versa while making a turn. This will act as a counterbalance using your weight to offset the wind on the sails, and also provides a clear view for you to navigate as well.
Before making the final turn before tacking, be sure that the boom is adjusted at a 45degree or so angle to the stern. Or in other words, the end of the boom is pointed to the back corner at the stern keeping the mainsail at a 45degree angle to the hull centerline. You may have to adjust the boom a little with your boom block for optimum results. This will position the mainsail to the optimum angle for tacking and will provide the necessary lift to propel the sailing boat forward.
Sailing Tip: If you ever feel that the wind at any time is to over powering to the point of losing control along with your nerve, just steer the sailing vessel directly into the wind by pushing the tiller away from you. This works whether you are tacking or jibing. This puts the sailboat in a sailing term known as irons. Once in irons, it takes the load off the sails, thus aiding you to regain control of the sailing boat along with your nerves. This technique reminds me of playing a new video game and you make a mistake. All you have to do is hit the reset button and start over. The same principle is true with putting the sailboat in irons it's like hitting the reset button on a video game.
Now you can proceed in making the turn. Keep in mind, however that when you are in irons, the mainsail will flutter and the boom can become unpredictable as mentioned previously in this article, but is well worth repeating. Safety should be your most important rule of thumb when sailing. The old saying goes it's better to be safe than sorry.
As you resume tacking, you will want to consider any obstacles that you will have to navigate around as well. I usually find that tacking in one direction is better than the other one. I affectionately call the better tack the "payoff tack", or the direction that it is more favorable than the other. So in my navigational tacking strategy, I try to get the most speed and distance while tacking in the payoff tack and tack in the other direction only as long as necessary.
I hope you are enjoying my sailing beginner blog, however, if you’re really pressed for time, I have also put together an audio and e book for a nominal price, so that you can learn how to sail while commuting to work or anytime you can listen to your favorite audio playing device. So now there is no excuse for you to daydream any longer about sailing! Get started today, you will be glad you did. Just click this link: www.sailingbeginner.com for more information in getting your hands on a copy of my audio and e book. Until then- Happy Sailing!
Sailing Tip: However, sometimes it's best to recognize your limitations as a sailing beginner, thus preventing damage to the sailboat or causing any injury to yourself or others. It's better to be safe than sorry and to be able to sail another day! So whenever a situation gets to be to overwhelming, the best thing to do is lower the sails and motor home with the outboard.
As stated above, it's your call whether to tack or jibe depending on your situation. However you choose, be sure to duck your head so the boom doesn't hit you or anyone else onboard causing injury. Next you should change sides of the sailing vessel from the starboard to the port or vice versa while making a turn. This will act as a counterbalance using your weight to offset the wind on the sails, and also provides a clear view for you to navigate as well.
Before making the final turn before tacking, be sure that the boom is adjusted at a 45degree or so angle to the stern. Or in other words, the end of the boom is pointed to the back corner at the stern keeping the mainsail at a 45degree angle to the hull centerline. You may have to adjust the boom a little with your boom block for optimum results. This will position the mainsail to the optimum angle for tacking and will provide the necessary lift to propel the sailing boat forward.
Sailing Tip: If you ever feel that the wind at any time is to over powering to the point of losing control along with your nerve, just steer the sailing vessel directly into the wind by pushing the tiller away from you. This works whether you are tacking or jibing. This puts the sailboat in a sailing term known as irons. Once in irons, it takes the load off the sails, thus aiding you to regain control of the sailing boat along with your nerves. This technique reminds me of playing a new video game and you make a mistake. All you have to do is hit the reset button and start over. The same principle is true with putting the sailboat in irons it's like hitting the reset button on a video game.
Now you can proceed in making the turn. Keep in mind, however that when you are in irons, the mainsail will flutter and the boom can become unpredictable as mentioned previously in this article, but is well worth repeating. Safety should be your most important rule of thumb when sailing. The old saying goes it's better to be safe than sorry.
As you resume tacking, you will want to consider any obstacles that you will have to navigate around as well. I usually find that tacking in one direction is better than the other one. I affectionately call the better tack the "payoff tack", or the direction that it is more favorable than the other. So in my navigational tacking strategy, I try to get the most speed and distance while tacking in the payoff tack and tack in the other direction only as long as necessary.
I hope you are enjoying my sailing beginner blog, however, if you’re really pressed for time, I have also put together an audio and e book for a nominal price, so that you can learn how to sail while commuting to work or anytime you can listen to your favorite audio playing device. So now there is no excuse for you to daydream any longer about sailing! Get started today, you will be glad you did. Just click this link: www.sailingbeginner.com for more information in getting your hands on a copy of my audio and e book. Until then- Happy Sailing!
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