4.3 Leaving the Beach
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 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.
Top Tip
Make sure the daggerboard is secured to the boat using the elastic retainer.
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.
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.
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