off the wind and climb in. The crew will then lower the centreboard as depth
allows. As soon as the water is deep enough, the centreboard should be fully
lowered and the retaining elastic clipped to the rope handle to ensure the
board cannot retract into the hull during a capsize or inversion.
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 centreboard and rudder, and then push
the bow off the wind while hopping in.
As soon the water is deep enough, make sure that you lower the rudder
blade fully by pulling hard on the rudder downhaul. You will know it is fully
down if you feel a gentle “thud” as the front face of the blade hits the front face
of the stock. Cleat the downhaul and tidy it by winding it around the tiller. Pull
the sail in and you are away!
For the best performance, you should ensure that you and your crew position
yourselves so that the boat is sailing through the water as flat as possible.
Watch the trim (fore and aft) and the heel. The boat should always be sailed
as upright as possible.
Top Tip
As a general rule, sit further forward in lighter winds and further aft in stronger
breezes.
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