Boat Handling and Helming For Speed

Boat Handling General Dynamics in the boat Balance Crew weight Coordination Comunication

General Helming Tips Communication Crew makes the Skipper look good Skipper makes the Crew look good Head Out of the Boat Eyes and Brain are the Instruments

Starting Don’t be Late Line Up Front Row Timing Make Space

Beating Upwind Sailing to VMG (velocity made good) Pointing for Height Low for Speed Sea Conditions Other Boats

Tacking Be aware of other boats Push Helm Slowly Roll The Boat into the Tack More Helm after head to Wind Build Speed, Sail Trim, Waves Slower is Better than Quicker

Reaching Angle to Mark Planing / Surfing Rhumb Line Up in Lulls Low in Puffs

Gybing Preparation Clear Air / other boats On a Wave Roll Boat Use Little Helm Cover Boats in Front and Behind

Downwind Angle to Mark Correct Gybe By the Lee Angle of Heel Planing / Surfing Downwind to Finish?

Boat Handling Helm Feel the Helm don’t fight it Be gentle with the tiller/rudder Try to keep the boat in the groove Sail Trim Hull trim Anticipate

Boat Handling Crew Appoint a crew boss Sort out personalities Have structure Team Work Communication Practice, Practice, Practice

Quote from famous Olympic and America’s Cup Sailor “If you don’t finish the race with a splitting headache, you probably didn’t concentrate hard enough on steering.”