Activity – Points of Sail, Parts if Boat

Activity Card 3 Start Crewing + Helming - Heave To

www.yachting.org.au

Progression: In later sessions start to introduce more parts of

the boat and revisit points of sail leaving the

diagram blank for participants to fill in.

Diagram 1: Points of sail

NOTE: Use of correct terminology alongside

layman’s terms will assist beginners in developing their knowledge of nautical

terms.

Diagram 2: Parts of the Boat

NO GO

ZONE

STARBOARD

PORT

Close Hauled Close Hauled

Close Reach

Beam Reach

Broad Reach

Downwind (Run)

Close Reach

Beam Reach

Broad Reach

Downwind (Run)

DA

NG

ER

ZO

NE

Include;

• Main Sail

• Jib Sail

• Mast

• Boom

• Keel

• Rudder

• Tiller

• Bow

• Stern

2. Close-Reach Tacking

Keelboat Activity Card 2 Tacking www.sailing.org.au

C

B

A

1. Tacking Reach to Reach

The boat is sailing across the wind (reaching) with the wind coming over the left (port) side [A], then sailing through the No-Go Zone [B], and finally sailing back across the wind (reaching) with the wind coming over the right (starboard) side [C].

A

B

C

3. Tacking Close-hauled

At the beginning of the tack [A], the boat is sailing close-hauled with the wind coming over the left (port) side. In the middle of the tack [B], the boat crosses the wind and No-Go Zone and the sails lose all power. In the final part of the tack [C], the boat is again picking up speed, this time with wind coming over the right (starboard) side of boat.

Progression: Enter the tack slowly, exit the tack and steer

away from the wind more readily to enter the

‘Heave To’ position.

Activity Card 3 – Heave To

NOTE: All keel boats can ‘Heave To’. This

includes Fin Keel Boats. NB: Ensure Jib is over

trimmed to be flat across the foot.

Activity – Heave To

Beam Reach Gybing

[A] Preparing to gybe: Helm checks wind direction and selects reference to steer for aftercompleting the gybe, then calls “Prepare to gybe”. Crew checks to see if sheets are ready to runout and uncleats them and respond “Ready to gybe” [B] Bearing away: Helm calls out “Gybing!”and slowly turns the boat away from wind. Crew eases jib sheet and start to sheet in mainsail.[C] Turn stern through the wind: Helm continues to turn boat and main is sheeted in. Everyonekeeps head safely down as boom crosses. [D] Heading up: Crew lets mainsail out and sheet injib. Helm heads boat up towards the wind and steers for the reference as crew adjust the sails.

Downwind Gybing

At the beginning of the gybe [A], the sails are let out almost all the way and the wind coming over the right (starboard). In the middle of the gybe [B], the back (stern) of the boat crosses the wind and the sail swings over from one side to the other. In the final part of the gybe [C], the mainsail is let back out almost all the way and the boat continues on with the wind coming over the left (port) side of boat. Important: Sheet in before stern crosses the wind and remember to keep heads low as the boom swings over.

Accidental Gybes

[A] Turning away from the wind, boatbegins the gybe by heading down. [B] Deaddownwind, wind is directly behind the sternand the jib is limp and starts to cross theboat. These are the warning signs of animpending gybe. The mainsheet has notbeen seeted in to the middle of the boat. [C]Turning toward the wind, the stern hascrossed through the wind, the jib hascrossed, but the mainsail is still out with thewind starting to curl around its back side.The boat is sailing by the lee. [D] Wham! It’snow too late to do anything except duck!

Keelboat Activity Card 4 Gybing www.sailing.org.au

A

B

C

AB

D

C

A

B

C

D

Quick-Stop Recovery Method for Man Overboard (MOB)

1. Shout “Man Overboard!” anddesignated crew member tospot and point to the person inthe water. The spotter shouldnever take their eyes of victim.

2. Provide immediate floatation.Throw buoyant objects, such ascockpit cushions, sparelifejackets, fenders or life rings.Littering the water with objectswill help the spotter keep MOBin view.

3. Bring the boat head-to-wind,trimming the mainsail to close-hauled.

4. Allow the headsail to backand further slow the boat.

5. Continue to turn with headsailbacked, until the wind is abaftthe beam. Do not ease the sails.

6. Head on beam-to-broad reachcourse for two or three lengthsthen go nearly dead downwind.

7. Drop the headsail, whilekeeping the mainsail centred (ornearly so). The jib sheets arenot slacked, even during thedousing manoeuvre, to keepthem inside the lifelines.

8. Hold the downward courseuntil the victim is abaft of thebeam.

9. Gybe.10. Approach the victim on a course of

approximately 45 degrees to 60 degrees offthe wind.

11. Establish contact with the MOB with a heaving line or other device.12. Effect recovery over the windward side.

Overboard Recovery

When a crew member goes over the side, recovery time is of the essence. All participants must know how to react quickly to a crew

overboard situation.

Losing sight of the victim correlates very highly with loss of life.

Keelboat Activity Card 5 Man Overboard Recovery www.sailing.org.au

1 2

3

4 5

6

7

8

9 10

11

12

Trimming Extension

As above Effectively trim the jib and main sails using the wind

indicator while sailing a close-hauled course and a

downwind course.

Instructor should remain close to helm when sailing

downwind to ensure there are no accidental gybes and

watch participants’ technique when using winches/main

sheet to ensure safe practice.

Most participants will need clarification on techniques

used to trim and ease sheets in strong winds, particularly

in gusty or shifty conditions. These can be shown in the

pen prior to sailing.

Wind Indicators can be confusing for beginners due to

apparent wind, they are affected by speed; the faster the yacht moves

and direction; the closer to the wind the yacht sails.

NOTE: Use of common terminology will provide an important model for

each participant.

Trimming Extension

(Wind indicator IK 27)

Trimming Diagram

Downwind As above • Helm; when sailing downwind, watch wind

indicator. It should point away from boom

towards windward, stern quarter. (Avoid

accidental gybes)

• Stay away from area where main sheet falls.

• Watch out for the boom!

• Communication is key! Keep a lookout.

Progression: Through EDICP, develop

participants ability to a point where they can sail the boat as independently

as possible.

NOTE: Use outhaul, backstay, luff tension and car position to

set up the boat for easy handling upwind.

Figure 2:

Trapezoid course

UPWIND

UPWIND

REACHING

DOWNWIND

REACHING

DOWNWIND

Figure 1:

Triangular course

As above Give each participant the opportunity to reef the main sail

and rotate participants through all positions of crew and

helm.

Ensure you allow enough time for practise and continue to

offer sandwich model feedback throughout. Maintain

control of the on-water activity by remaining in the cockpit,

close to the helm.

NB: Participants may struggle, when steering, to hold the

boat on a close-hauled course as the boat is not balanced;

sailing mainly on the jib alone the pressure of the wind will

tend to rotate the bow away from the wind.

Be aware of how unbalanced the boat will feel to an inexperienced

sailor during the process of reefing.

Lowering the JIB

NOTE: When securing the rolled section of the

main sail, remember only tie around the

sail and not the boom.

Reefing the Main

Lowering the Main