Activity – Points of Sail, Parts if Boat

Diagram 1: Points of sail Diagram 2: Parts of the Boat

Include; • Main Sail STARBOARD PORT • Jib Sail • Mast • Boom • Keel Close Hauled • Rudder Close Hauled • Tiller NO GO • Bow ZONE • Stern Close Reach Close Reach

Beam Reach Beam Reach

Broad Reach Broad Reach

Downwind (Run) Downwind (Run)

DANGERZONE Progression: In later sessions start to introduce more parts of the boat and revisit points of sail leaving the NOTE: diagram blank for Use of correct terminology alongside participants to fill in. layman’s terms will assist beginners in developing their knowledge of nautical terms.

Activity Card 3 Start Crewing + Helming - Heave To www.yachting.org.au 1. Tacking Reach to Reach

C

B

A 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]. 2. Close-Reach Tacking 3. Tacking Close-hauled

C

B

A

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.

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

Activity – Heave To

Progression: Enter the tack slowly, exit the tack and steer away from the wind more readily to enter the ‘Heave To’ position. 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 Card 3 – Heave To Downwind Gybing Accidental Gybes

A A

B

B C

C D

[A] Turning away from the wind, boat At the beginning of the gybe [A], the sails begins the gybe by heading down. [B] Dead are let out almost all the way and the wind downwind, wind is directly behind the stern coming over the right (starboard). In the and the jib is limp and starts to cross the middle of the gybe [B], the back (stern) of boat. These are the warning signs of an the boat crosses the wind and the sail impending gybe. The mainsheet has not swings over from one side to the other. In been seeted in to the middle of the boat. [C] the final part of the gybe [C], the mainsail is Turning toward the wind, the stern has let back out almost all the way and the boat crossed through the wind, the jib has continues on with the wind coming over the crossed, but the mainsail is still out with the left (port) side of boat. Important: Sheet in wind starting to curl around its back side. before stern crosses the wind and remember The boat is sailing by the lee. [D] Wham! It’s to keep heads low as the boom swings over. now too late to do anything except duck!

Beam Reach Gybing

B A C

D

[A ] Preparing to gybe: Helm checks wind direction and selects reference to steer for after completing the gybe, then calls “Prepare to gybe”. Crew checks to see if sheets are ready to run out 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. Everyone keeps head safely down as boom crosses. [D] Heading up: Crew lets mainsail out and sheet in jib. Helm heads boat up towards the wind and steers for the reference as crew adjust the sails.

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

Quick-Stop Recovery Method for Man Overboard (MOB)

1. Shout “Man Overboard!” and designated crew member to spot and point to the person in the water. The spotter should 4 5 never take their eyes of victim. 2. Provide immediate floatation. Throw buoyant objects, such as cockpit cushions, spare lifejackets, fenders or life rings. Littering the water with objects 3 will help the spotter keep MOB in view. 3. Bring the boat head-to-wind, 6 trimming the mainsail to close- hauled. 1 2 4. Allow the headsail to back and further slow the boat. 5. Continue to turn with headsail backed, until the wind is abaft 12 the beam. Do not ease the sails. 7 6. Head on beam-to-broad reach course for two or three lengths then go nearly dead downwind. 7. Drop the headsail, while 11 keeping the mainsail centred (or nearly so). The jib sheets are 8 not slacked, even during the dousing manoeuvre, to keep them inside the lifelines. 9 8. Hold the downward course 10 until the victim is abaft of the beam. 9. Gybe. 10. Approach the victim on a course of approximately 45 degrees to 60 degrees off the 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

Trimming As above Effectively trim the jib and main sails using the wind Extension 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.

NOTE: Trimming Diagram Use of common terminology will provide an important model for each participant.

Wind Indicators can be confusing for beginners due to Trimming Extension apparent wind, they are affected by (Wind indicator IK 27) speed; the faster the yacht moves and direction; the closer to the wind the yacht sails.

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.

Figure 1:

Triangular course UPWIND

NOTE: Use outhaul, backstay, luff tension and car position to DOWNWIND set up the boat for easy handling upwind.

REACHING Progression: Through EDICP, develop participants ability to a point where they can sail Figure 2: the boat as independently as possible. REACHING Trapezoid course

UPWIND DOWNWIND 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.

Lowering the JIB Reefing the Main

Lowering the Main

NOTE: When securing the rolled section of the main sail, remember only tie around the sail and not the boom.

Be aware of how unbalanced the boat will feel to an inexperienced sailor during the process of reefing.