Section 14, Sailing Upwind

Boat is on a port tack when main boom is on the starboard (right) side, starboard tack when main boom is on the port (left) side. Figure 14–1 Port Versus Starboard Tack

Sailing Close-hauled Close-Hauled Boat pointed close to wind - approx 45º - Sails trimmed well in – Don’t “pinch” - Must tack to to change direction when sailing upwind

Sailing close-hauled is to trim sails well in, steering as close to wind as possible, usually within 45 degrees of true wind. Will cover 1.4 miles through the water to go 1 mile to windward, half on each tack. With constant wind direction either tack can be first. Figure 14–3 Beating to Windward

Figure 14–4 Effect of Wind Direction Changes Shifts in wind direction change distance sailed. Shortest distance achieved by sailing toward expected direction of wind shift. (Note that sailing too far off the rhumb line could actually increase the distance sailed; this is more likely to happen for a nearby destination.) Wind Shift (Tack on Header) Figure 14–4 Effect of Wind Direction Changes

Figure 14–5 Outhaul Adjustment

Sailing close-hauled, sheet main and jib well in; jib leech near spreader with main/jib slot increasing from head to foot. If sailing light or pinching, jib luff loses shape along length at same time. If head breaks first, move jib sheet fairlead forward. If foot breaks first, move fairlead aft. Figure 14–6 Mainsail Trim

Remove diagonal wrinkles Cunningham / downhaul adjustment In light wind increase sail draft In heavy wind flatten sail Figure 14–7 Cunningham Adjustment

Figure 14–8 Points of Sail

Figure 14–9 Telltales at Various Positions

Coming About Figure 14–10 Coming About or Tacking Commands Ready about Helm’s alee Center traveler before tack Main sheet not adjusted Change jib sheets Need enough momentum to complete tack Can back the jib to help If in irons – Back a sail Figure 14–10 Coming About or Tacking

Vocabulary Close-hauled. Sailing as close to the wind, or as directly into the wind, as possible. Also, on- or by-the-wind, beating. Coming About. Changing course for bow to swing through the eye of the wind and pay off on the other tack. Cunningham (Rig). An arrangement of gear used to adjust the luff tension in a sail without using a halyard or moving the boom.

Jib Trim Want leach almost touching spreader Slot (gap between jib and main) should increase from head to foot If sail too high, luff will tremble and inside telltail will start to flutter Turning blocks If jib breaks first near foot – move back If jib beaks near head – move forward In light wind – move forward In heavy wind – move aft

End of Section 14 Slides