Introduction to Cruising 1 Seamanship


A good sailor knows more than just the me- chanics of sail trim and steering, and good seamanship is more than the ability to per- form those tasks. Competent cruising sailors know how to handle the boat and sails in a wide range of wind and sea conditions, skills that require practice and experience.


2 Organization and Planning Good organization and planning promote safety and success. Use checklists. Delegate duties among the crew. Have the proper gear on board before leaving the dock. Create a float plan for your trip. Have back up plans and alternatives in case something unexpected happens.


3 Situational Awareness


While sailing, you need to monitor weather, tides, sea conditions and the movement of other vessels around you. A good sailor knows how to translate and utilize input from the five senses, such as the feel of the wind and the motion of the sea, and how to anticipate potential problems.


4 Safety


Safety afloat prevents accidents. Use the proper equipment for the job. Keep lookouts posted to scan your surroundings. Monitor your electrical, mechanical and other systems for early warning signals. Keep a tidy ship; coiling unused lines, for example, will lessen confusion when something has to be done quickly or under pressure.


5 Teamwork and Communication Teamwork becomes more important on bigger boats where one person cannot reach every- thing. Te boat’s leader (skipper) must com- municate effectively in order to maintain the crew’s cooperation. Non-verbal techniques, such as hand signals, can be helpful in high winds when it’s hard to hear.


6 Anticipation


Te sailing environment constantly changes, which requires sailors to be ready to shiſt gears. Experience will teach you how to an- ticipate what might happen next, whether it’s a change in the wind or a part of the boat that needs attention. Sailors who know what to ex- pect and when to expect it are better equipped than those who don’t.


7 Etiquette


Unique customs and certain courtesies have developed over the years in sailing and cruis- ing. Te last boat to drop anchor, for example, is the first one to move if the wind changes or current causes two boats to come too close. Minding your manners on the water will en- hance your cruising experience.


8 Legal Obligations


Sailboats need to abide by the Navigation Rules. Sailors must also adhere to important federal and state laws and regulations. Oil and plastics, for example, may not be dumped into waters of the United States or offshore. Un- treated sewage may not be discharged in lakes or within three miles of the coast. It’s against the law to operate a boat while intoxicated.


“For the true boatman, final satisfaction comes with the harmony of thought and action, of anticipation and response, that makes his craſt an extension of his will.”


-Norris D. Hoyt Marine Writer


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