Boat Handling andHelming For Speed

Boat Handling General

• Dynamics in the boat

• Balance

• Crew weight

• Coordination

• Comunication

General Helming Tips

• Communication

• Crew makes the Skipper look good

• Skipper makes the Crew look good

• Head Out of the Boat

• Eyes and Brain are the Instruments

Starting

• Don’t be Late• Line Up• Front Row

• Timing• Make Space

Beating Upwind

• Sailing to VMG (velocity made good)

• Pointing for Height• Low for Speed• Sea Conditions• Other Boats

Tacking

• Be aware of other boats

• Push Helm Slowly

• Roll The Boat into the Tack

• More Helm after head to Wind

• Build Speed, Sail Trim, Waves

• Slower is Better than Quicker

Reaching

• Angle to Mark• Planing / Surfing• Rhumb Line• Up in Lulls• Low in Puffs

Gybing

• Preparation

• Clear Air / other boats

• On a Wave

• Roll Boat

• Use Little Helm

• Cover Boats in Front and Behind

Downwind

• Angle to Mark• Correct Gybe• By the Lee• Angle of Heel• Planing / Surfing• Downwind to Finish?

Boat Handling Helm

• Feel the Helm don’t fight it

• Be gentle with the tiller/rudder

• Try to keep the boat in the groove

• Sail Trim

• Hull trim

• Anticipate

Boat Handling Crew

• Appoint a crew boss

• Sort out personalities

• Have structure

• Team Work

• Communication

• Practice, Practice, Practice

Quote from famous Olympic and America’s Cup Sailor

“If you don’t finish the race with a splitting headache, you probably didn’t concentrate hard enough on steering.”