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Sailing your Wave
Balancing the boat
Steering
Sailing Basics
Safe and sane guidelines for the beginner; and an easy review for the
experienced.
When sailing, sit on the upwind side of the boat (wind on your back)
just in front of the tiller, facing the sail. Balance your weight further
outboard as the boat begins to tip or heel over with the wind in the
sails. Tuck one foot under the hiking strap for balance. Use your hand
that is forward to hold and control the mainsheet. Use your hand that
is aft to steer.
Steer the boat by pushing the tiller away from you to turn towards the
wind. Pull the tiller towards you to turn away from the wind. Keep the
movement of the tiller to a minimum to prevent over-steering. This
will help you keep the boat moving in a straight line as you pay
attention to other watercraft and sail adjustments.
Sail Power
Face the sail to monitor the trim or
adjustment of the sail. When the
front of the sail, just behind the
mast, luffs or flutters in the breeze,
you lose power. To start moving,
pull the sail in just enough to stop
the sail from luffing. There are also
short ribbons hanging on either side
of the sail. Follow the diagram of
sail and course adjustments above
using these “tell tails” to get
optimum performance from the sail
for all angles of sailing. The tell tails
react to air flowing over the sail and
will help you determine whether
the sail is pulled in too tightly or
too loosely. If you pull the sail in too
tight, you will stall the sail power.
Ease the sail out until it luffs, then
pull it in just a little until it stops
luffing. You will adjust the trim
whenever the wind shifts direction
or you change course.
Proper Sail
Trim
Let Sail Out
Turn Right
Pull Sail In
Turn Left
or
or
Proper Sail
Trim
Let Sail Out
Turn Left
Pull Sail In
Turn Right
or
or
Proper Sail
Trim
Let Sail Out
Turn Right
Pull Sail In
Turn Left
or
or
Proper Sail
Trim
Let Sail Out
Turn Left
Pull Sail In
Turn Right
or
or
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