Hot Sailing How-Tos

How To: Gybe or jibe while sailing

In a jibe, the the stern of the boat is passed through the wind. both the mainsail and the jib have to be adjusted. Ideally, this maneuver is performed by three sailors, a helmsman and one working each sail. The mainsail is first centered at the beginning of the turn. As the stern passes through the wind, the mainsail is let out. The jib is adjusted by taking the sail's working sheet off the leeward winch and placing the new working sheet on the opposite winch, trimming the sail. Gybe or jibe...

How To: Roller furl the jib when sailing

This video shows roller furling of a jib in 5 knots of wind. Mild tensing is kept on the jib's sheet to enable the jib to warp tightly around the headstay. In high wind conditions, this is best done in a deep running reach. The mainsail will tend to shield the jib from the wind. This will prevent excess luffing of the sail and make furling easier. In a pinch, you can always let the jib out, by loosening it's sheet and roll in the jib, but in high winds excess luffing may occur and this can da...

How To: Flake the mainsail when sailing

Taking down the mainsail is also called flaking the mainsail over the boom. The mainsail is lowered and laid side to side over the top of the boom. Sail ties are then placed to secure the sail. The sailboat should be pointed into the wind or the mainsail will be blown off the boom. If there is significant wind, the mainsail's sheet should be loosened and the mainsail doused. It can then be flaked once the sailboat is at anchor or docked at port. Flake the mainsail when sailing.

How To: Use a forward spring line when sailing

A forward spring line is placed from the stern of the sailboat to the dock. In reverse gear, the sailboat is slowly backed. The spring line prevents the backward motion of the boat and swings the bow away from the dock. One may also use the rudder to vary the direction of boat thrust, to aid in holding the boat to or in swinging the boat away from the pier. Once clear, the line is released and the boat is placed in forward gear and steered away from the dock. This video shows a US SAILING Bas...

How To: Coil a line in sailing

As you coil a rope, place a slight twist in the line to flatten the coils. Near the end of the line, wrap the line three times or more around the coils. Form a loop in the end of the line and pass it between the coils. Now you can either pass the end of the line through the loop to allow the coiled line to be hung for storage or pass the loop over the top of the coil to allow the coiled line to be stored in a compartment. Coil a line in sailing.

How To: Tie a sheet bend knot

A sheet bend is used to tie two lines (ropes) together that are the same or different sizes. If lines of different sizes are used, the thicker or stiffer line forms the open loop, and the thinner or more flexible line (white line) passes through the open loop, around the back and is tucked underneath itself. Tie a sheet bend knot.

How To: Dock your boat

Graphical animations show you to dock twin screw and single screw vessels. Additional tips for all skippers who face the stomach churning tasks of bringing their pride and joy into dock. Dock your boat.

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