Boat Handling andHelming 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.”