Sailing 101
Sailing your Catamaran fast and in the right direction
Firstly, there are many adjustments to work with on a catamaran. However, like many things, 90% of your speed potential is determined by 10% of the adjustments. The three primary controls that need to be adjusted are: the tiller, the main sheet, and the jib sheet. The following instructions are suggestions on how to handle the different situations. You are responsible to develop your own methods of sailing in the various conditions you will encounter. You are also responsible for your safety and your crew's safety. The following are general suggestions and may not exactly pertain to your particular boat.
Sailing Upwind Sailing
Upwind Light Air – up to 5 or 6 kts
Tiller - you steer so the [[Apparent Wind]] starts out at about 35-40°. Once the boat gains some speed head up a bit. Steer to the jib telltales.
The [[Luff]] side telltales should be steady streaming back and the back side should be slightly lifted – up to 45°, but not dancing.
Jib - Sheet-in the jib so the [[Leech]] of the jib follows the contour of the main. Don’t over sheet and close off or choke the slot (space between the jib
and main. Sheet in slightly during the puffs and relax in the lulls.
Main - The traveler should be centered. Main sheeted so upper 2-3 leach tell tails (provided you have them) just start to play peek-a-boo behind the
mainsail, then sheet out a bit so they stream back. Keep testing the telltales to verify proper trim. Firm up the main just a bit in puffs and
relax in lulls.
Upwind Medium Air - 7 to 12 kts
Tiller - Same as light air
Jib - Tighten (sheet-in) jib firmly. However, don’t oversheet and make the bottom curl. Jib sheet tension should be adjusted as wind strength
changes (firm up in puffs, and a little bit looser in the lulls).
Main - The traveler should be centered. The main sheeted so upper 2-3 [[Leech]] (trailing edge) tell tails just start to play peek-a-boo behind the mainsail,
then sheet out a bit so they stream back. Keep testing the telltales on main and jib to verify proper trim. Firm up the main as the boat
speed increases.
Upwind Heavy Wind ~13kts+
Tiller - Steering is similar to before. Try not to [[Pinch]] or feather too much - its slow.
Jib - Super tight, as flat as possible.
Main - Sheet the main hard and use the [[Cunningham]] and [[Outhaul]] as needed to flatten the sail. The cunningham is very effective in depowering
the main. If the crew is strong, have them continuously adjust main sheet tension to spill wind in the puffs. If this is not enough, the skipper can
also travel out the main and/or feather into the wind as necessary.
Sailing Downwind
Downwind Light Air up to 5 to 6 kts
Tiller - Your average course should be about 45° from straight downwind, but prioritize on following the [[Apparent Wind]] angle of about 90°.
As boat speed picks up, steer down to keep [[Apparent Wind]] at 90°. Steer down in puffs and head up a bit in lulls.
Jib - Sheet-out jib quite a bit so the tell tales on windward side of the jib luff start to dance and then sheet in just a bit to get them to smooth out. To sail
fast, this should be continuously adjusted as wind speed and boat speed vary. Tell tales on back side should always be streaming back (not dancing).
Main - Set the traveler out to roughly 6” in from hull. The Main should be sheeted so upper 2-3 leech (trailing edge) tell tails just start to play peek-a-boo
behind the mainsail, then sheet out a bit so they stream back. Keep testing the telltales to verify proper trim. Firm up the main as the
wind increases in puffs.
Downwind Medium Air 7 to 12 kts.
Tiller - same as light air.
Jib - same as light air settings
Main - Set the traveler out to roughly 6” in from hull. Main should be sheeted out so the leech (trailing edge) tell tails are flowing smoothly and
then sheet in just a bit. The main sheet should not be cleated and continuously adjusted if you want to go fast.
Downwind Heavy Wind 13 kts +
Tiller - Speed is your friend - you have to keep it up to keep the boat manageable. After the bear away, its better to sail deep at first and then slowly head
up to “heat it up”. Again, keeping boat speed up is important as it will actually reduce the apparent wind speed and make the boat feel more
manageable.
Jib - Same as light wind.
Main - Set the traveler out to roughly 6” in from hull. Continuously adjust main to be sure you have good backside flow (not stalled). You will need to
actively sheet in as you speed up. Head downwind in the puffs – this is counterintuitive at first, but if you try to head up, you’ll surely swim.
Daggerboards if you have them, should be raised about half way.
HOW TO SAIL A CATAMARAN
TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY & TIPS FOR FIRST
TIMERS
Sailing Terminology
•
Tacking: this is how you change directions when
sailing. You do this by turning the bow (front) of the
boat through the wind.
•
Jibing: this is how you turn around when sailing. You
do this by turning the stern (back) of the boat through
the wind.
•
Head to Wind: this means that your sails are trimmed
in such a way that the wind hits them dead-on, or
head-on. This can be used to slow down the boat or
stop it completely.
•
Beam Reach: this is when the wind is blowing directly
across the beam, or widest part, of your catamaran
sailboat. This results in fast speeds and is considered
one of the most efficient points of sail.
•
Close Hauled: this is when the wind is blowing on the
front (but still a bit on the side) of your catamaran
sailboat. This allows you to sail as close to the wind
as possible and is how you tack upwind•
•
Running Downwind: this happens when the wind is
blowing from behind your catamaran, or downwind.
This can be considered one of the most dangerous
points of sail because it's easy to lose control of your
boat. If your sailboat has a boom, this point of sail is
how it got its name.
•
Trimming: this is how you control your sails.
Trimming the sails is done by adjusting the tension on
a line - also referred to as a sheet - that is attached to
the sails.
Sailboat Component Terminology
•
Boom: this is a horizontal pole that extends from the
mast. The mainsail attaches to the boom and the
boom controls the angle of the mainsail.
•
Bow: this is the front part of your catamaran sailboat.
•
Clew: this is the back corner of your mainsail.
•
Deck: this is the flat, horizontal surface that you stand
or sit on when sailing. It's also where all of the sails,
lines, and other gear are stored when not in use.
•
Hull: this is the main body of your catamaran sailboat.
It's what keeps the boat afloat and gives it its shape.
•
Dagger Board: this is a long, thin fin that extends
from the bottom of your catamaran hull. Its purpose is
to provide stability and prevent the boat from
capsizing (turning over).•
Sheets: these are ropes that are used to control the
sails.
Mainsail: this is the largest sail on your catamaran
sailboat. It's attached to the mast and boom and is
how you propel yourself forward when sailing
downwind.
Mast: this is a tall, vertical pole that sticks up from the
deck of your catamaran. The sails are attached to the
mast and it's what gives your catamaran sailboat its
height.
Port: this is the left side of your catamaran when
you're facing forward. It's also how you identify the
left-hand side of things when sailing (e.g., port tack).
Starboard: this is the right side of your catamaran
when you're facing forward. It's also how you identify
the right-hand side of things when sailing (e.g.,
starboard tack).
Stern: this is the back part of your catamaran
sailboat.
Tiller: this is a handle that's used to steer your
catamaran sailboat. It's attached to the rudder and
you move it from side to side to turn the boaLog a Float Plan
•
Whenever you plan to embark on a water adventure,
tell someone where you will be, where you are going
and when you should be expected to return.
•
This is the number 1 rule of safe boating and may
likely save your life, one day!
Wear Proper Clothing and Footwear
•
When sailing, you'll be exposed to the elements - sun,
wind, and water. Make sure you're wearing clothes
that will protect you from all of them.
•
We also recommend closed-toe shoes with non-slip
soles to prevent any accidents on board.
•
The sailor's recommendation is to dress and prepare
for conditions to be 20 degrees cooler than forecasted
and raining.
Check the Weather Conditions
•
Before setting sail, always check the weather
conditions for your planned route.
•
This will help you prepare for any potential hazards
and make sure you're not caught off-guard by sudden
changes in weather.•
This will help you prepare for any potential hazards
and make sure you're not caught off-guard by sudden
changes in weather.
Inspect Your Catamaran
•
Before heading out, it's important to do a quick
inspection of your catamaran.
•
Make sure all lines and sails are properly secured and
that there's nothing loose on deck.
•
This will help you avoid any accidents or damage
while sailing.
Be Light on the Rudder
•
If we could only provide you with one tip for your first
time sailing a small catamaran sailboat, it would be
this. When sailing, you want to be gentle with the
rudder.
•
This is because small catamarans are very light and
sensitive. As such, they don't carry much momentum.
•
As soon as you let the wind out of the sails, you will
come to an abrupt stop. It may be difficult to recover
at that point.
•
The sweet spot for steering is about 15 degrees in
either direction. Any more and you end up slowing the
boat down.•
The sweet spot for steering is about 15 degrees in
either direction. Any more and you end up slowing the
boat down.
•
Remember - if you give it a little bit of steerage and
tack lightly, you'll be able to maintain speed.
Sailing by the Tell Tails
•
This is the act of adjusting the tension on the sheet
attached to the sail.
•
There are usually two ribbons or strings on sails. One
on the inside and one on the outside.
•
Unless you are going down wind, these tell tales
should fly parallel to each other.
•
If the outside tell-tale is flat or lazy, you need to ease
(let out) the sheet.
•
If the inside one is getting nervous or the front edge of
the sail is starting to cave in on itself, you need to haul
(pull in) the sheet to provide the inside of the sail
more air.
Be Prepared to Heave-To
•
Heaving-to is a maneuver in which you stop your
catamaran and let it drift. It's used in situations where
you need to take a break or make repairs.
•
To do this, let the mainsheet all the way out, so the
mainsail is free to go as it pleases, and then backwind
the jib sail (sheet it in so it is filled with air, but on the
wrong side of the boat)•
To do this, let the mainsheet all the way out, so the
mainsail is free to go as it pleases, and then backwind
the jib sail (sheet it in so it is filled with air, but on the
wrong side of the boat).
•
This will allow the main to have no wind in it, and the
jib will act as a stabilizer and keep the boat about
stationary on the water.
•
You can then take a break or make repairs without
too much worry of being off course.
Get Familiar With Capsizing & Right Procedures in
Safe, Calm Water
•
Capsizing (turning over) is a very real possibility when
sailing, and frankly, it's not something you have to
stress over.
•
As long as you are familiar with the right procedures
you can right your sailboat quickly and get back to
sailing.
•
The best way to ensure you're ready when the time
comes, though, is to practice in low-stress situations.
•
Take your boat in safe, calm water that you can stand
in and purposefully capsize.
•
Then, practice righting it.
•
First, release the main cleat and jib cleat.•
First, release the main cleat and jib cleat.
•
Then, simply point the mast into the wind as you right
the boat by pushing down on one hull to bring the
mainsail to the surface of the water.
•
When done correctly, the wind breaks the surface
tension between the boat in the water.
Keep a log Book
•
A logbook helps you track your boats performance
over time.
•
Helps you plan routes and keep a record of your
sailing adventures.
•
Documents incidents.
•
Helps you to keep track of boat repairs.