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.
4.4 Sailing Close-Hauled and Tacking
When sailing close-hauled, or as close as possible to the wind, it is important to get
the boom as near as possible to the centreline, especially when sailing the RS QUBA
with the mainsail and jib. The kicking strap should be firmly tensioned for upwind
work. To pull it on, quickly put the boat head to wind. You should hold the tiller
extension across your body, with a knuckles-up grip, enabling you to use one or two
fingers as a temporary cleat when adjusting the mainsheet.
The jib sheet should be pulled in fairly hard when sailing upwind – tighter in stronger
winds and less so in lighter winds. Sail to the jib tell-tails, keeping the one on the
back of the sail streaming and the one closest to you either streaming or lifting
upwards slightly.
To tack, push the tiller extension away from you and, as the boat starts to turn, step
across the cockpit facing forwards. Once the boat has completed the turn, bring the
tiller back into the centre before sitting down on the new side, with the tiller extension
behind your back. When you are settled, swap the mainsheet and the tiller extension
into the new hands.
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