SAIL HANDLING TIPS

SETTING THE MAIN SAIL

• Ensure all ports and hatches are closed.
• Ensure all gear and equipment is stowed away correctly.
• Always launch the mainsail first if you are going to use both sails.
• Check the main halyard shackle is secure.
• Check the main halyard is free and has unobstructed access to the top sheave at the top of the mast.
• Ensure the sail cover is clear and all the sail ties are removed.
• Make sure all non-required reefing lines are unlocked from rope jam cleats and are free to move up with the sail.
• Assess the wind strength and decide whether or not 1 or 2 reefs should be put in, (usually the first reef should be used in 13-18 knots of wind strength and a second reef when the wind approaches 18-23 knots) Note that reefing is very important and is done in order to keep the boat under control, to avoid sail damage, rigging failure and injury. Fit one or two reefs if required.
• Turn the boat into the wind and motor slowly forward, keeping it straight the into wind. You need to keep the boat moving through the water in order to keep the dinghy away from the back and to maintain steerage.
• Release the main sheet.
• Raise the sail slowly as the sail moves up through the lazy jacks so that no battens get caught on the way up. If they do catch, release the halyard tension and try again. Never force any halyard and check that reef lines or slides do not get caught. Someone should always be watching the mainsail when it is being winched up the mast.
• Finally tension the Mainsail halyard, then set the desired course. You can then trim the sail using the main sheet.
• The main halyard should be stowed away or tied securely so it will no fall or wash over the side.

UNFURLING THE HEAD SAIL

• Now that you are underway with the mainsail, you can unfurl all or part of the headsail. Note – Do not turn into wind to unfurl the headsail but rather maintain the course you wish to steer. Have sheet ropes ready and furling line ready. The sheet rope will pull the sail out. Make sure the opposite sheet rope is free to run.
• Once again assess the wind strength and decide how much of the sail you need to use. Too much headsail in strong winds will be detrimental to the sail and limit your control of the boat.
• Maintain your course.
• Make sure that you keep light tension on the furling line as the sail is pulled out so that the furling line wraps around the furling drum neatly. (there is nothing worse than a tangle on the drum!). By keeping one hand on the furling line with one turn around a cleat or spare winch you can also control the amount of sail that unfurls.
• When all the way out tie the furling line tight so the line does not fall off and tangle at the drum as you are sailing.
• If you are only using part of the headsail make sure that the furling line is locked off properly so that the sail doesn’t unfurl itself when you least expect it. It is good practice to not only use the rope jam cleat to lock the furling line but if possible tie the furling line around a suitable cleat.

FURLING THE HEAD SAIL

• Always furl the headsail before getting the mainsail down. The best way to furl the headsail is not to turn into wind but to turn downwind so that the wind is aft of the beam (not dead downwind), let the mainsheet out so that the mainsail is shadowing the headsail. This makes the job of furling the headsail much easier and the sail will wrap up neatly without flogging.
• DO NOT FORCE THE FURLING LINE or use the winch to furl. If jammed investigate the cause, either the sheet is too tight, the furling line has a knot in it or one of the ropes has a tangle at the drum.
• Coil the furling line up and secure it so is does not get caught around the prop.

LOWERING THE MAIN SAIL

• Once the headsail is furled you can then turn the boat into wind, (use the motor to keep the boat heading upwind) tighten the main sheet.
• Release the main halyard. If the halyard is through a rope jam cleat, please put the halyard around the winch and tension it slightly before releasing the jam cleat otherwise you will break the jam cleat.
• Again, be careful that the mainsail slides down the mast and does not catch on the lazy-jacks. Always watch the sail as it comes down and assist it where necessary.
• If you have reefs in the mainsail, just remember that they will still be tied the next time you put the sail up and will need to be untied if the main is to go all the way up.

Tips

• If reefing the main put the reefs in before leaving your anchorage while in calm water.
• If you find the boat overpowered turn downwind so that the wind is aft of the beam (not dead downwind), let the mainsheet out so that the mainsail is shadowing the headsail. Then furl the headsail all the way up or the desired position.
• In strong winds if traveling downwind, use only the headsail.
• In strong winds if going into the wind use the mainsail with one or two reefs if necessary and motor sail.
• If any of the sails are flogging (flapping) furl them or take them down as you are damaging them.
• All sheets, halyards and furling lines should have a knot in the end (figure of eight knot) and be secured so they cannot fall over the side.
• When using a winch, never force anything. Always watch or have someone watching what you are winching so that you don’t damage, break, or tear anything or injure someone.
• When sailing directly downwind to avoid gybeing, keep the wind at a slight angle to the stern, or just use the headsail by itself.
• Uncontrolled gybes must be avoided at all costs. Do not gybe the boat unless you are well practiced in controlled gybes and are confident that your crew can help the boat through the gybe without risk to the vessel and or to the crew. Always secure the traveler and pull the mainsheet right in before you gybe. Tell everyone on board to keep away from the boom during a gybe. If you are in any way unsure of how to perform a controlled gybe, it is better not to attempt it.
• If you have any doubt on your sailing abilities do not use the sails book a sail-guide for some of your charter.