You’ve got a sailboat. It floats. This is a great (and integral) first step in setting sail into the sunset, but with all of those dangling ropes (sheets) and flapping pieces of canvas (sails), how to get from the dock to the horizon can be a daunting task. Here are some handy sailing tips to keep in mind as you embark on your maiden voyage.
The pointy end of the boat goes first.
This can get confusing if the boat you are on has a canoe stern. The bow of the boat should be pointing into the direction you aim to go. All of the little things that compose the act of sailing aim to accomplish this, which helps to keep everything in perspective as you start pulling on lines and cranking winches.
Point into the wind while raising sail.
All is well and good until the gust comes and the sheet is ripped from your hands with a thousand fires of friction. The line cracks like a whip into the water and blows back around to slap you on the face. Let this be a lesson: always point the bow into the wind before you raise any sails.
A happy crew is a crew. Full-stop.
The moment that your crew decides to abandon ship, sailing becomes a lonely venture. Keeping your companions warm, well fed, and secure is the key to maintaining deck minions to furl sail, drop anchor, and take on those midnight watches. Let’s not forget that a happy crew is more likely to mix their skipper a sunset cocktail.
Don’t jibe until everyone (including the boat) is ready.
It’s stressful on the crew and the rigging. If you need to jibe, ensure you pull in the boom so that you avoid that awful snap when the wind catches your sail from the opposite side. And if she’s had too many cocktails, make sure Sharon is sitting down before the maneuver has begun. Knocking passengers overboard (or out cold) doesn’t look good on a resume.
If your cocktail is on a slant, ease the mainsheet.
While heeling over 25 degrees as the water laps over the toe-rail seems exciting to some, you are probably scaring your guests. Generally speaking, the anticipation of being thrown into the water at any given moment is not one that inspires comfort in most people. Let the boom out a little bit. After a certain degree, you’re not gaining any speed anyway.
Check the weather before the weather checks you.
Just because it’s blue skies and a gentle breeze now doesn’t mean that it will be that way in an hour. By giving the forecast a quick glance before you leave the dock, you don’t have to worry about the what if’s of having to sail in heavy weather. Or, more appropriately, you can have everything ready for when the what if scenario occurs. If there is a chance of rain, you’ll already have your wet weather gear within reach.
It’s easier to shake out a reef than to put one in.
So you didn’t check the forecast and the weather has turned. Your easy breeze and glassy waters have turned to gale force and peaky swell. As you ride the bow of the boat like a bucking bronco, each wave breaking over the rail, you’ll have limited moments to consider the fact that you could have dropped this sail twenty minutes ago. Always reef early.
Boats don’t have a break pedal.
Fact: stopping your boat by slamming into something is never graceful and far from a good look. The golden rule of maneuvering a boat is to never approach anything faster than you’re prepared to hit it. This goes for docks, reefs, or other boats. Save your fibreglass repair kit for a more worthy story.
Have your docking lines ready before you approach the dock.
Don’t make this rookie mistake. Anyone who has spent enough time in a marina can tell you how little fun it is to throw yourself in front of a bow and stop 5,000 pounds of displacement from plowing through the dock or, worse yet, into their own boat.
Talk to your fellow sailors.
Sailing tips are to sailors as opinions are to ass — wait, is that how the saying goes? Stop and have a chat with your fellow boaters. Ask them questions. Heed advice from their experiences. Most will be happy to chat, though keep in mind that there’s a lot of salty dogs out there… it helps to have some tequila and a lime or two on hand.
Rum will do in a pinch.