TEACHING STUDENTS TO SAIL
Capsize Recovery with a Spinnaker or Trapeze The complexity of a capsize recovery is increased when sailing with a trapeze or spinnaker. The first priority is always safety. If you are sailing on the trapeze, unhook yourself quickly when you capsize or even in anticipation of capsizing. You do not want to be hooked on anything as the sailboat rolls over. Once unhooked from the trapeze, proceed with normal capsize recovery techniques.
If you are sailing with a spinnaker when you capsize, there is one important step before attempting to right the boat. You must release the spinnaker halyard and pack it into the spinnaker bag, or it will act like a giant sea anchor and prevent you from righting the boat. To take the spinnaker down safely, one of the sailors should swim to the mast tip to keep from turtling. Once control of the mast is obtained, the other sailor can move to the cockpit to release the spinnaker halyard and pack the spinnaker into its bag. It will take some time to wrestle the wet spinnaker into the bag and it is easy to rip the spinnaker. Once the spinnaker is packed away, proceed with a normal capsize recovery.
Body Positioning for Downwind Sailing with a Spinnaker Positioning the skipper and crew weight is based on two factors: boat control and the ability trim the spinnaker. The sailboat should be sailed flat to keep it controlled and to keep the spinnaker flying. The goal is for the crew to be able to see the curl of the windward edge (luff) of the spinnaker. This means the crew is sitting to windward and is able to lean out to get a full view of the spinnaker. The skipper will need to move their weight to keep the sailboat balanced.
When reaching, it is possible for both the skipper and crew to sit to windward, especially in windier conditions. When running with the wind, it is more likely that the skipper will be sitting to leeward. The skipper may also balance the sailboat by steering and trimming the main sail. In a puff, steering downwind and easing the mainsail will keep the sailboat flatter. In a lull, steering up to a reach and trimming the mainsail will keep the sailboat flatter. The skipper must be active using their body weight, mainsheet, and steering to keep the sailboat balanced and the spinnaker flying. The crew must also move thier weight at times to help with balance, but should focus primarily on trimming the spinnaker and communicating with the skipper about the pressure in the spinnaker sheet.
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