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5.4 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. 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.
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.
If the boat slows right down and feels lifeless when close-hauled, you could be
sailing too close to the wind. Ease the mainsheet and ‘bear off’ away from the
wind for a while to get the boat going again.
5.5 Sailing Downwind and Gybing
When sailing downwind, the sail should be let out as far as possible. To gybe,
pull the tiller towards you and, as the boat starts to turn, step across the
cockpit facing forward. 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. Often, the boom will not want to come across
until you have nearly completed the gybe, so it often pays to give the
mainsheet a tweak to encourage the boom over at the moment that you want
it to come! Once you are settled, swap the mainsheet and the tiller extension
into the new hands.
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