Quick Sailing Tips and Techniques

Tthere are three basic rules that MUST be followed to be a successful sailor or crew member. They are simple rules and easy to remember.

Rule 1: When handling halyards, make sure that:

• both ends of the halyard are in your hands
• one end is securely attached and the other is in your hand
• both ends are securely attached to something

Why you ask? So one end of the halyard doesn't fly to the top of the mast causing the skipper to ask you to do the same and bring it back down.

Rule 2: When working with winch handles, make sure that:

• the handle is in your hand
• the handle is in the winch and in your hand
• the handle is stowed in it's proper safe location

Why you ask? A winch handle left unattended in a winch or on deck can suddenly be lurched overboard by a sudden wave or a slip of the foot. Speaking of lurching overboard, it is usually the skipper's command to the one committing the violation as he explains that those cost $75.00 as you hit the water.

Rule 3: When sailing on a beautiful day, make sure that:

• you don't try to sail where the birds are standing

Tying to a Dock

A boat should never be allowed to rub against a dock, and should never be tied in such a way as to allow it to hang at low tide or be caught under the dock at high tide.

Drop anchor while approaching dock -- be careful not to get line caught in propeller -- fend off dock -- secure anchor line so bow is close enough to get off boat. Pull boat off to one side to get it further from dock, and secure it. Allow slack for tide.

Securing a Boat Near a Beach

Outgoing tide has left boat stranded. Incoming tide has floated boat off beach; it has drifted away.

After unloading on beach, walk boat out and anchor it in shallow water just off shore -- it cannot be stranded and it cannot drift away.