Small Boat Sailing Instruction

Boating FAQ's written by Bruce Stott is now available on-line

71 tips to make your boating safer and more relaxed.

Some of the topics covered include:
Navigation - chart symbols and abbreviations and the common mistake many boaters make regarding currents

Regulations and Licensing - what Regulations apply to Pleasure and Non-Pleasure vessels

Chartering and Instructing - what do I need to charter a vessel and how to become an Instructor

Safety - mandatory equipment, float plan, pre-departure checklist

Anchoring - choosing an anchorage, scope, anchoring procedure

New and experienced sailors are invited to join our community.

Share your experiences and knowledge, ask and answer questions from fellow boaters.

Meet me at the Boating Forum.

Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd's Free 22 page Report,
Boating Information, The Fundamentals can be obtained by registering at Free Report

You will receive a link to obtain your copy. Subscribers will be added to our data base and receive periodic updated Boating Information.

I have recently viewed a new DVD Cold Water Boot Camp which clearly shows why everyone needs to be wearing a PFD or lifejacket while aboard a boat. If you think you do not need to wear your PFD because you are a good swimmer, viewing this video will likely cause you to change your mind.

You may view a short version by download or the DVD is available by contacting the producer.

The first time you try steering a boat with a tiller it likely feels awkward and confusing. When you move the tiller the boat turns the opposite way.

One memory aid is when moving forward point the tiller towards what you want to avoid. When moving backwards point the aft end of the tiller the way you want the boat to turn.

This applies to tiller steered outboard motors also.

On July 19, 2008, there was an explosion and fire aboard a vessel in Tsehum Harbour. This occurred just after refueling. For full details visit the Boating Forum

The Victoria Tall Ship Festival welcomed over two dozen tall ships from June 26 - 29, 2008. This was a unique opportunity to view, walk the decks and experience some of the history of the sea.

Hopefully they will return in 2011.

There are three basic controls on a sailing dinghy. They are steering, sail trim and weight. All these controls inter-relate and it may be confusing for the beginner.

To learn what each control does, only adjust one at a time. For example, remain in the same place in the boat, keep the tiller centered and adjust your sail or sails. See what happens. Start with the wind on the side of your boat (abeam). Let the sails out until they start to shake(luffing) and observe what happens. The boat slows down. Bring the sails in until they just stop luffing. Notice the boat start to pick up speed. Now bring the sails in as far as you can. What happens to the speed and the angle of tilt(heel) of the boat?

Now bring in the sails until they have just stopped luffing. Now use the tiller to turn the boat one way and then the other. What happens to the speed and the heel?

Now return to a position with the wind abeam, sails just stopped luffing and the tiller centered. Now try moving yourself from side to side and forward and back. What happens to the heel? Does the boat turn? Which way?

By only changing one control at a time, you will obtain a better understanding of the effect each control has on the performance of your dinghy

Please send me your questions and I will do my best to answer them. If there are any areas you would like me to include please let me know.

Many beginners have difficulty with the basic concept of sail trim. Often the phrase "catch the wind" is used. The sails do not "catch the wind" but provide power by the wind flowing smoothly over both sides of the sail. We can observe when the sail is at the correct angle to the wind by looking at the telltales or ticklers. These are lengths of light material(yarn) fastened to the forward edge (the luff) of the sail. When the sail is properly trimmed the telltales will lay flat on both sides of the sail.

Rules for sail trim
If the inner or windward telltale is fluttering turn away from the wind direction or bring the sail in closer to the boat.

If the outer or leeward telltale is fluttering turn towards the wind or let the sail out.

Turn the boat away from the fluttering telltale or move the sail towards the fluttering telltale.

The Fundamental Rule is "When in doubt, Let it out"

If you do not have telltales on your sail you cannot tell if the sail is trimmed in too tightly. Let out (Ease) the sheet (the line that controls the sail) until the forward edge of the sails starts to flap (Luffs). You now know it is too loose. Pull in (harden) the sheet until the sail just stops flapping and it has a smooth curve.

This is the point of maximum power. Now anytime the boat turns or the wind shifts direction you must re-adjust the position of the sail.

Try the National Geographic Sailing Simulator by going to the link directly above.

When the wind is very light it can be difficult for the sail to take a nice shape. If you heel (tilt) the boat away from the wind(to leeward) the sail will take a smooth shape because of gravity. You may need to put all your weight on the lee side of the boat. Also make sure you are not sitting too far aft and putting the stern into the water which creates drag. Keep still so you do not shake the sails and you will start to accelerate. The keys to light air sailing are
1.heel the boat,
2.keep still
3.all movements and steering adjustments should be as small as possible.

Enjoy the light winds!

Last week I was in Ganges Harbour on Saltspring Island and was watching some juniors taking their sailing lessons. Over the years I have seen many beginners having difficulty using a tiller extension. A tiller extension is a shaft, usually metal, that attaches to the end of the tiller with a universal joint. It allows you to steer easily while you are hiked out.

I noticed a few students holding the tiller extension in front of their bodies and having to twist their wrists to turn the rudder. An easier way is to have the tiller extension at right angles to the tiller and parallel to the boat's beam. This would put the tiller extension parallel to your aft leg as you sit in the cockpit. Steering then becomes an easy matter of pushing or pulling the tiller extension.

Definitions

A KNOT is tied in a single piece of line.
A BEND is used to join two lines.
A HITCH is used to tie a line to something.

There are literally hundreds of knot, bends and hitches. However, knowing seven will be all you will need for most cases.

Knots
Figure of Eight is used as a stopper knot to prevent a line from slipping through a block or fairlead. Usually used in the end of the jib sheets and the main sheet.

Reef or Square Knot is used to tie up the foot of the mainsail when you are reefing(reducing sail). It can also be used to tie up a sail or any kind of package.

Bowline is used to form a non-slip loop in a line. Commonly called the "King of the Knots"

Bends
Sheet bend is used to join together lines of different size. The smaller line is woven around the larger line.

Double Sheet Bend - more secure that the Sheet Bend

Hitches
Clove hitch is used as a temporary method of attaching a line around a pole or spar. Often used to tie fenders to the boat.

Rolling Hitch is used to fasten a line to another line so strain can be taken along the line. It will slip in one direction but will bind when pulled in the opposite direction.

Round Turn and Two Half Hitches - used to tie the boat to a dock or mooring buoy. Can be untied under load.

See

Grog's Animated Knots

Port - The left side when facing the bow.
Starboard - The right side when facing the bow.
Windward - The direction from which the wind is coming.
Leeward - The direction in which the wind is going.
Amidships - the mid point of the boat between bow and stern, or from side to side.
Abeam - A direction to either side of the boat at right angles to line from bow to stern.
Ahead - in front of the boat.
Tacking - Turning from one tack to the other, when the bow passes through the wind. Also know as Coming about.
Port tack - when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the starboard side.
Starboard tack - when a boat is sailing with the mainsail on the port side.
Gybing - Going from one tack to the other with the stern passing through the wind.
Underway - when the boat is not moored, anchored or aground. It is floating free from the earth.
Leeway - the motion of the boat to leeward.
No way - when the boat is not moving.
In irons - when the boat bow into the wind without control and starts to move backwards.
Upwind - In the direction from which the wind is coming.
Downwind - In the direction the wind is going.
Luffing - when the forward part (the luff) of a sail is fluttering.
Heading up - turning towards the wind.
Bearing away - turning away from the wind.
Sailing by the lee - sailing with the wind and the boom on the same side while sailing downwind.
Heeling - The leaning of the boat due to the wind pressure on the sails.
Astern - behind the boat.

In Canada the National Authority is the Canadian Yachting Association(CYA). They have set out a program of certification for both students and instructors. The Web site is www.sailing.ca

Where can you find lessons? Most yacht clubs and sailing clubs have programs for dinghy sailing. Check with your local recreation center, university and college. Check the Yellow Pages under "Boating Instruction" to find commercial schools. Ask at your local marine supply store. You might also contact your Local Parks and Recreation office.

From 1971 until 1979, I taught with the Calgary Junior Sailing School which was taken over by Calgary Parks. This school operated junior programs during the day and adult programs in the evening. It was a very popular program and you needed to be in line by 0700 on Registration day to be assured of a class when they opened at 0900.

A common question beginners have is "How do I set the sails?"

If you steer the boat towards your destination and you can pull in the sails(harden)until they stop luffing, then the skipper steers the boat and the crew adjusts the sails to the wind. You cannot tell if a sail is too tight so always keep testing by letting the sail out(ease)until the forward edge(the Luff) starts to shake(luffing). Then bring the sail in(harden)until the sail just stops luffing.

If you steer the boat directly towards your destination and you can't get the sails to stop luffing then you are steering in the "No Sail Zone" about 45 degrees off each side of the wind. In this case the crew brings the sails in snug and the skipper steers to just keep the sails from luffing.

In order to reach your destination, you will have to "beat" which is sailing a series of close-hauled course allowing you to make progress towards the wind. The boat cannot sail directly into the wind.