RS Toura - Page 69

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13.4 - 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 with the mainsail and jib. The
kickingstrapshouldbermlytensionedforupwindwork.
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.
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o󰀨’ie.turnawayfromthewindforawhileto
get the boat going again.
13.5 - Sailing Downwind and Gybing
When sailing downwind, both sails 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!Don’tforgetto
duck your head as the boom comes over. Once you are settled, swap the mainsheet and the
tiller extension into the new hands.
Ifyouareinexperiencedinusingaspinnaker,chooseafairlyquietdayforyourst
excursion. A spinnaker nearly doubles your sail area, and should be treated with a healthy
degreeofrespect!
13.6 - Using the Spinnaker
Foryourrsthoistyoushouldbesailing
downwind on a broad reach, with the wind
coming over the helm’s aft shoulder. The
crew should sit in the centre of the boat,
astride the centreboard case, and hoist the
spinnaker by pulling the spinnaker halyard
from the port side of the centreboard.
13 - Sailing Hints