Sailing guidance

RIGGING

Pump out, check under floor.

Remove and stow fenders (if in the harbour) – don’t forget the bow fender.

Check and re-run jib sheets if needed (genoa sheets go outside stays). Connect the jib but do not hoist yet.

Loosen off kicker and outhaul (should already be loose)

Run main along boom from the mast, connect tack pin and connect outhaul shackle.

Fit head into mast track, connect halyard and make sure it is running correctly.

Ready to go? You must raise the main when head to wind. If in the harbour you can cast off the aft mooring buoy and allow the boat to swing round into the wind before hoisting the main. Hoist the main and then the jib, cast off at the bow and off you go.

Adjust the halyard, outhaul and kicker tensions when under sail.

PICKING UP THE MOORING

There are several ways to do this depending on conditions; controlling the speed is vital, aim to be stationary at the buoy.

Approach into the tide at Under Tyne (usually) and into the wind in the harbour. All sails should be ready to drop with lines free to run, approach on a close reach turning into the tide at the last moment. Go round again if you are going too fast – there is no shame in that.

The crew lies on foredeck, retrieves strop and hooks it onto the karabiner on the foredeck. The strop must be ahead of stays and through fairlead.

Drop the sails asap, and get boom into boat

If wind against tide it can be better to drop main. Several helms do this.

Some people chose to drop & stow the jib to de-power the boat and avoid it flogging on the foredeck when the crew is trying to pick up the mooring.

Drop the main when you are confident you will get to the buoy and be ready to hoist again if you need to.

PACKING AWAY

Make the moorings fast at the bow and stern in harbour. It is good practice to connect a second line to the strop and secure it around the mast. In harbour, put the small mooring buoy in the boat or tie it around the port shrouds, attach all fenders all fore, aft, middle and bow. If at Under Tyne, secure the pick up buoy to prevent it falling overboard.

Sails must be rolled and stored in the correct bags. If the main is left on the boom, fold along the top batten and roll down leech. Loosen the outhaul or the sail will stretch and tidy away the sheets.

Secure the jib halyard to the ring on the mast and the main halyard to a fitting on the side deck. Pump out the boat and refit the covers as you found them.

TOWING, ANCHORING AND COMING ALONGSIDE

Normally the towing boat will pass you a line with a loop in the end but be ready to tie a bowline if necessary. Pass the line through the fairlead and onto the karabiner – put the pin in the fairlead. Get a line to tow others if necessary – use the aft karabiner and fairlead. Don’t forget to tie a bowline in the end of the tow rope.

The anchor is usually under the floor or below deck at the bow. Gently lower the anchor and chain and put out lots of line (6 times depth). Pass the line through the bow fairlead and connect to the bow karabiner.

Come alongside on the leeward side, the sails should be free with speed under control. If coming alongside for a prolonged period, drop the main and come alongside under jib.

Sailing Guidance

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