FVSPS Sail Course, Class 2 Sail Book, Section 13 Helmsmanship
Jan 15, 2016
FVSPS Sail Course, Class 2
Sail Book, Section 13Helmsmanship
Steering
• Tiller vs. Wheel Steering
• Which Way Do I Move the Tiller?
Steering IssuesCommon Beginner Problems
• Over-Steering
• Steering a Straight Course
• Pinching
• Sailing “Low”
Responding to Changesin Apparent Wind
• Gusts
• Lift
• Header
TelltalesOverview of Issues
• What are they?
• How should they ideally look?
• How do you know which way to turn to make them flow smoothly?
Alternative Ways to AdjustAir Flow over Sails
• Helm Adjustment
• Sail Trim Adjustment
• Which to Do?
Jib Telltales
Jib Telltales –What you want to see in pull mode
Jib TelltalesWhat to Do when They Break?
- If a telltale is not flowing back, is breaking – It needs more air!
- Windward telltale is breaking? Then back off or sheet in!
- Leeward telltale is breaking, then come up or sheet out!
Mainsail Telltales
Mainsail Telltales –What you want to see in pull mode
Mainsail TelltalesWhat to Do when They Break?
- If a telltale is not smoothly flowing back, is breaking – Need to adjust!
- Breaking to leeward? Then then come up or sheet out!
- Breaking to windward? Then back off or sheet in!
Helmsman’s BIG Responsibilitywhen Sailing Downwind
• Preventing an Inadvertent Jibe when Broad Reaching, Running
• Broad Reaching – Watch the headsail!
• Running – Be even more vigilant!
FVSPS Sail Course, Class 2
Sail Book, Section 14Sailing Upwind
Upwind Sailing
• What points of sail are upwind?
• How can we reach a destination directly upwind?
Tacking
• Commands
• Procedures
Helming a Close Haul:How Does it Feel?
• How does it feel when it is good?
• How does it feel when too close?
• How does it feel when gusts hit?
Helming a Close Haul:Problems, Tactics?
• What happens when a boat keeps getting over-powered in the gusts?
• What are solutions?
• How to respond to:• Lift• Headers
FVSPS Sail Course, Class 2
Sail Book, Section 15Sailing Downwind
What Points of Sail are Downwind Sailing
• What are the two obvious points of sail for downwind sailing?
• How about beam reaching?
Beam Reaching
• Not usually thought of as sailing downwind, but it is downwind of the true wind.
• Speed?
• Pull mode or push mode?
• Use telltales?
Broad Reaching
• Maybe most common cruising point of sail
• Push mode
• Do not use telltales– Note: Ques. 8, p. 109 is wrong and should include
running and broad reaching.
• How to trim sails on a broad reach
• Danger of inadvertent jibes; Use preventer?
Running
Choices:– Possible Sail Configurations– Possible Choice of Sails– Broad Reaching Instead?
Danger of inadvertent jibeUse preventer?
Jibing
• Commands
• Procedures
• “Chicken Jibe” Instead?
Jibe vs. Chicken Jibe