TEACHING STUDENTS TO SAIL


Coordinating Steering and Jib Trim Steering downwind is often a matter of aiming for a destination. It is up to the crew to keep the jib trimmed correctly. However, if the jib is trimmed incorrectly and the crew is not changing it, it is possible to momentarily adjust course and get the jib working efficiently. If the helm continually needs to adjust the boat direction to the sail trim, communication between teammates needs to improve.


Coordinating Steering and Spinnaker Trim Steering downwind with a spinnaker up is often determined by the type of spinnaker used. A symmetrical spinnaker flies most efficiently on a run, where an asymmetrical spinnaker will need to sail higher reaching angles. As a skipper with the spinnaker up, a clear coordination with the spinnaker trimmer is needed. When the steering angle changes so does the need for trimming both the spinnaker guy and spinnaker sheet. Encourage your sailors to talk about their movements so they can have the proper trim for every tiller adjustment. Conversely, the skipper might need to adjust their course to keep the spinnaker filled or to de-power.


Steering with Weight and Sails Most changes in direction of the sailboat should be done primarily by using crew weight, not with the tiller. The tiller should allow the rudder to follow where the sailboat is going, rather that be used to force the sailboat to go in a certain direction. A gentle hand on the tiller to sense how it feels is critical to steering well.


Table of Contents


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