| If you're anything like me, learning the fine art of | | | | onto the new tack. In light air with low boat |
| close hauled sailing seemed difficult. There had to | | | | speed, delay casting off the leeward sheet until |
| be an easier way to learn the secrets of sailing to | | | | the sail just starts to back against the wind. This |
| windward, without a lot of confusion! Use these | | | | helps push the bow through the wind without fear |
| five secrets to become an expert in tacking on | | | | of going into irons. |
| any small sailboat. | | | | 3. Tacking Using Shoulder Points |
| Build yourself a tacking team first and foremost. | | | | Look over your shoulder and pick an object |
| Use crystal clear communications between helm | | | | abeam before you call for the next tack. Because |
| and sailing crew. Follow these steps for windward | | | | your sailboat tacks through 90 degrees, this |
| sailing success: | | | | should be close to where you'll end up. When |
| 1. Create Easy Tacking Command Terms | | | | steady on the new tack, fine tune your sail trim |
| Forget the rigid, archaic "ready about"-"hard-alee" | | | | with the next step. |
| stuff. These confuse many new crew | | | | 4. Find the "Groove" |
| members-something you don't want if tacking up | | | | Watch the luff of the mainsail to adjust your |
| a narrow channel! Let the crew create simple | | | | course to perfection. Move the sailboat wheel or |
| command and answer terms. These terms must | | | | tiller just enough to stop any luff flutter. Adjust |
| fit into the three part tacking structure: | | | | the Genoa so that the leech lies within 2" of the |
| Preparation-Answer-Execute, to prevent | | | | spreader tip. Now she's "in the groove" and you |
| confusion. | | | | should see her speed ramp up! |
| Example: | | | | 5. Check Acceleration |
| * Prep command (skipper): "Ready?" | | | | Use objects ashore to check your speed. In light |
| * Answer command (crew): "Ready!" or "Wait!" | | | | winds check your wake bubbles to see if you still |
| * Execute command (skipper):"Tacking!" | | | | have good speed. If you've done things right, you |
| Your crew must answer each prep command. If | | | | should feel the boat accelerate. Otherwise, follow |
| they're not quite ready they say "wait". Then, the | | | | one of sailings best axioms: "If in doubt, let it out". |
| moment they're ready, they must say "ready". | | | | Easing the sails a bit often gives just the right |
| 2. Teamwork with Headsail Trimmers | | | | "umph" to kick in the turbos! |
| Practice tacks for smooth headsail trimming. The | | | | There's nothing quite like the beauty of a small |
| leeward trimmer waits for the sail to luff before | | | | sailboat, close hauled sailing down a channel under |
| he casts off the sheet from the sailboat winch. | | | | complete control. Learn how to sail a boat better |
| The windward trimmer must sheet in on the sail | | | | with these essential skills and experience the thrill |
| and have it set just before the boat steadies | | | | of sailings most exciting point of sail! |