Downwind Sailing Can be Fun and Easy!
Have you experienced that thrill and wonder of downwind sailing? The wind and seas are behind you because you whoosh along like a surfer on a wave. Learn to sail when the wind blows from astern with these easy sailing tips!
From this introduction to sailing downwind, you’ll want to use just the mainsail. In the later article, we will discuss how to use the Genoa and mainsail while doing so. Learn how to make use of the mainsail and the art of boom control first to become a more comfortable and self-assured downwind sailor.
Use the masthead take flight or shroud telltales to help you find the wind direction whenever you sail downwind. The masthead travel often has two, predetermined “V” shaped shafts. On top will be mounted an arrow–similar to your weather vane on some sort of barn roof–that moves while using the wind direction.
When sailing with the wind near the demanding (downwind), you may want to align the arrow so that it stays parallel to some of those shafts. This keeps the wind just a little to one side with the stern and prevents an accidental jibe (the boom swings unexpectedly from one side in the boat to the other side in the boat).
As an alternative and backup, use shroud telltales. Attach a 6″ to 8″ little bit of light yarn as high as you can reach up each of your upper shrouds. As soon as you fall off to a running point of sail, watch the windward side shroud telltale. It should “point” for a slight angle toward the contrary side of the ribbon and bow. For example, if you have the wind coming above the starboard side of this stern, the starboard shroud telltale should point just a bit toward the port ribbon and bow. That will avoid an accidental jibe
Whether people sail upwind or downwind, you may find that you need to change direction. You do this by tacking the boat upwind or jibing your boat downwind. You ought to do this because the wind has shifted and you need to stay closer to ones sailing course. Or, there may be something in your process, like a buoy and also dangerous shoal (” light ” water or danger).
After you tack a boat, you pass your bow from one side of the wind, through the wind, over to the other side in the wind. Most boats can “point” about 45 degrees in the true wind direction. For example, let’s say you are generally sailing to windward along with the wind 45 degrees heli-copter flight port bow. You want to tack the boat. That means you ought to move the bow with the wind and place your wind 45 degrees on to the starboard bow.
As soon as you sail downwind, you will find that you might need to “jibe” that boat. Jibing means the same thing as tacking; the difference being that you pass the stern through the wind instead of the bow. For example, if you’re sailing downwind with the wind just off the port side of this stern, you may want to jibe the boat to position the wind just off the starboard side of the stern.
Find a “Steady Up” point. When you jibe, you will change course. Locate an object to help steady up onto once you have jibed. This will help in keeping you oriented. Look about 45 degrees off the bow on the same side you have your boom out on. What do you see way up before boat? Choose any prominent object, like a dock, house, roof, building, cedar, hill, mountain-as long as it lies well before boat.
For example, let’s say you are sailing along with the wind just off the port side of the stern; your sailboat boom will be out to starboard. You have to change course to holiday in the channel. You look heli-copter flight starboard bow about 45 degrees and then determine a boat dock a mile up ahead. Whenever you change course, you ought to steady up on your boat dock.
Experience the thrill of downwind sailing when you learn to sail with the easy steps. You will soon gain the confidence you need for safer sailing anywhere in the world you choose to go sailing!
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