ORD-16c Able Elective Triangular Sail Instructors: George Crowl

Course Outline  14a. While leading a crew of not less that two other persons, demonstrate your ability to sail a sloop or other suitable vessel correctly and safely over a triangular course (leeward, windward, reaching marks), demonstrating beating, reaching, and running, and the proper commands.

Points of Sail (1)

Beam Reach Sail  Force of wind (= 1.0) pushes on sail  Force pushes forward (= 0.7)  Force pushes sidewards (= 0.7), but is resisted by keel / centerboard

Points of Sail (2)

Tiller / Wheel Operation  Push tiller the opposite of the way you want the rudder to go  “If it doesn't go the way you want, go the other way”  Wheel turns same way as a car  It is less obvious how much rudder has turned  Normally, small motions  Tacking – 45° rudder angle, most efficient  Jibing – less rudder angle, more gentle

Tacking 1. Starboard Tack 2. Passing through the eye of the wind 3. Port Tack Wind

Crew Coordination  Scout must be in command  Provide warning “Prepare to tack / jibe”  Execute commands “Helm's alee” or “Jibe-ho”  Crew tighten main to start both tacks and jibes  Crew tighten downwind jib sheet as needed  As vessel passes through “Eye of the Wind”, release downwind jib sheet, haul in opposite sheet  Crew release main sheet slowly to new position  Crew tighten jib sheet with crank  Helm establishes desired heading

Beating to Windward  Series of tacks  Short tacks are more work, lose speed each turn  Long tacks more efficient, take you away from area

Gybing /Jibeing  Enough speed to turn  Sail to centerline first  Tiller to windward slowly, wheel to leeward slowly  Shift weight if needed  After sail shifts, move sail and tiller / wheel to take up heading desired

Triangular Course  Typical  One jibe, two tacks  Upwind, downwind  May need to beat upwind  Scouts demonstrate ability to sail course with help on main and jib sheets in sloop  Can be short legs

Questions? 