Sailing

What is Tacking and How Do You Do It?

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

When you start sailing, there are a ton of topics to learn. When it comes to sailing, learning never really ends. But so many will skip over some topics because it’s too complicated and there is too much to learn.

What is tacking? Tacking means moving the bow of the boat through the wind. Right or left does not matter. That is the most undiluted definition of tacking. While it may sound simple, the definition is about the only simple thing regarding tacking.

Moving one’s bow across the wind becomes much more complicated when you learn the commands for proper tacking and then the physics of the maneuver. And it is in these details that most new sailors genuinely mess it up.

Picture a chalkboard with an arrow pointing downward from the top of the board. The arrow represents the “wind.” Next, draw a circle beginning at that arrow and go all the way, 360 degrees, either direction, around and back to the top. That is the sailing clock. And roughly from midnight (where the wind is) to about ten and two on either side is upwind sailing, and you can’t sail in those directions. That is called “the luffing arc,” and boats can’t sail in that direction by the rules of physics.

If you want to go that direction (i.e., directly upwind towards midnight on the sailing clock), you have to zig-zag your way as close to the wind as possible, which is the tacking maneuver. Going from 45 degrees off the wind on one side (i.e., 2 o’clock), turning your boat through midnight on the clock, and going 45 degrees to the other side beyond 10 o’clock.

Visualizing this is half the work of tacking your boat, so let’s add the commands.

How To Tack a Sailboat:

Let’s say you’re sailing your boat with your sails hauled in or “close hauled” on a starboard tack (right side facing the bow). That is another definition for the word tack. This a way to describe the state of your sails, but don’t focus on that right now because this article is about the action of tacking.

You want to turn your boat 90 degrees and start sailing on the other side of the sailing clock; let’s say you are at 3 o’clock and want to go to the 9 o’clock position. To accomplish that, your boat must have enough inactivity to sail directly up into the wind while maintaining forward progress and turning through to the other side. In addition, to have enough inertia to complete a tack, your boat must have enough speed at the start of the maneuver. With practice and experience, you will begin to recognize how much speed you need to complete a tack of your boat.

Next, there are some commands you need to know. Again, communication on the boat is crucial. You will not turn your boat willy-nilly when you have a 40’ tartan with a genoa jib the size of your backyard to hurl across the deck. This requires cooperation from the crew, and commands will keep everyone working in unison.

The first command comes from the helm. They shout, “ready about.” That means everyone prepares the boat to turn 90 degrees through the wind. The pit crew has the most work to do as they must load up the lazy jib sheet and prepare to release the working jib sheet. The foredeck should be cleared of open hatches, errant fenders, or anything else you might have garnishing your foredeck that might catch a flying jib sheet.

Additionally, down in the cabin, if there is any strong wind blowing, everything that is not stowed correctly will come down on the crewmembers. So let them know your plans too. Then, when everybody is ready, they inform the helm by smartly barking “ready.”

Next, the helm declares that they are beginning to tack by saying, “Hard-ALee.” There are a couple of variations on this command; if you want to say something else, it’s your boat. Just make sure everyone onboard understands what you are commanding. The helm then takes the tiller and swings it to the leeward side or away from the wind. This will begin to turn your boat towards the wind.

Every boat tacks differently so don’t become discouraged if you don’t succeed right out of the gate. Make adjustments and try again.

Tiller Towards the Sail When Tacking

To remember how to turn the helm, remember the phrase “tiller towards the sail when tacking.” You won’t have any confusion about what happens next because it’s theatrical.

As the bow of the boat swings toward the wind, the sails will come to life, fluttering (also called luffing). If your pit crew is in tune, the second the jib collapses into a fit, they will be ready to release the jib on one side and pull it in on the other. The helm will turn the boat 90 degrees, and once the desired course is achieved, they will center the rudder and allow everyone to catch up. When you are happy with the boat’s direction, celebrate by telling the pit crew to “trim to course.” If everything works, you will have completed your first tack.

ON THE HORIZON

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

South Bay Clubs Regatta (Feb. 4)

On Feb. 4, the Coronado Yacht Club will be one of three yacht clubs to host the South Bay Clubs Regatta along with Coronado Cays Yacht Club and the Navy Yacht Club San Diego. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing and is open to all members of Yacht Clubs and Sailing Associations recognized by US Sailing. Only members of one of the South Bay Yacht Clubs (Coronado YC, Coronado Cays YC, or Navy YC San Diego) can qualify for the championship regatta. Entries are limited to single-hulled boats 20 feet or more in length overall. Eligible boats may enter by registering on Regatta Network and must be submitted by 5 p.m. the day before the regatta. Late entries will not be accepted. Fees for each race are determined by the hosting regatta (no more than $30). This regatta is a Sailors for the Sea “Clean Regatta.” As such, all competitors are encouraged to use non-singleuse water bottles and recycle all appropriate items. Competitors are reminded of RRS 47, which states that competitors “shall not intentionally put trash in the water.” For more information, please read the Notice of Race at https:// www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/ regatta_uploads/23834/NORSouthBayClubsRegatta.pdf or visit https:// www.regattanetwork.com/html/calendar.php.

93rd Annual SCYA Midwinter

Regatta (Feb. 4-5))

From Feb. 4-5, Dana Point Yacht Club, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Silver Gate Yacht Club, and Balboa Yacht Club will host the 93rd Annual SCYA Midwinter Regatta hosted by SCYA member clubs from Morro Bay to Baja Mexico. The race is open to PHRF Spinnaker classes and RS Tera classes. Parent/Guardian and emergency information is required for minors registering for the RS Tera Class. Minor Waiver & Release Form must also be completed and submitted at check-in for all registrants under the age of 18. For those wanting to charter an RS Tera for the regatta, a separate charter fee of $25, payable to DPHYF, will be due at check-in. Charter boats are on a first come/first serve basis. No Notice of Race is available currently. For further details and information about DPYC, please email race@dpyc.org. For Newport Harbor Yacht Club, please email ray.jacobi@nhycstaff.org. For Silver Gate Yacht Club, please contact manager@sgyc. org, and for Balboa Yacht Club, please email sailing@balboayachtclub.com.

Boating Safety Equipment Check Before Offseason Ends

Ahoy Sailors, hopefully by now, you’ve made your New Year resolutions that will help boost your boating experiences throughout 2023. Before you get on the water, please go through this checklist to ensure that your boat and equipment are in pristine condition, keeping you safe and prepared as we enter a more active boating season. Then, stay tuned for your next lesson, when we discuss the basics of boat warranties and what you should know as an owner.

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

January is a period of downtime for many boaters, making it the perfect month to inspect and update boating safety equipment — especially if you have pulled it out of storage. Unfortunately, when equipment and devices sit for a while, they expire and fail. So here is a checklist to go through before you get back on the water.

1. Inspect Flares

These require replacement every three years. First, check the expiration dates on your handheld and meteor flares. If they are set to expire mid-season, add a reminder to your calendar. If they expire within a month or two, it might be easier to get it done now. For U.S. Coast Guard requirements for flares, https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF.

2. Check Fire Extinguishers

Check the pressure gauges on your boat’s fire extinguishers to confirm they read in the green “full” zone. If any of them appear to have been partially discharged, replace them with Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers. Next, give your extinguishers a shake to loosen the fire-retardant powder that might have fallen to the bottom. Lastly, make sure the bracket still holds the extinguisher securely. Visit https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-faq.php for more information on fire extinguishers.

3. Test EPIRBs and PLBs

These require re-registration every two years, as mandated by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which sends a reminder. If your address or email has changed, you might not have received it, so check your EPIRB and PLBs for the re-registration date. If it is overdue, go to www. sarsat.noaa.gov to update the information. Additionally, check when you need to replace the batteries in your EPIRBs and PLBs. Most of these devices offer a test procedure— now is the time to run that test.

4. Inspect Life Jackets

Ensure fabric, straps, buckles, and flotation materials remain in good condition. If you have any doubts, toss, and replace them with new life jackets. If you have inflatable life jackets, remove and inspect the CO2 cartridges. If any are damaged or used, replace them with new ones.

5. Test Your Horn

Make sure you have a functional Coast Guard-approved sound-producing instrument on board.

6. Replace Batteries

It is important to replace all the batteries in your flashlights and have new extras on board. If any flashlights have rechargeable batteries, fully charge them. It’s also helpful to enter reminders on your calendar to recharge them again in the future.

7. Test Your Bilge Pump

You might have to wait until spring commissioning for this, but as soon as the boat is ready, stick your head in the bilge compartment while someone presses the bilge pump switch to ensure it runs. While there, lift the float on the automatic bilge pump switch to ensure it turns on the pump. In addition, check all the wiring and connectors to verify that they are corrosion-free.

8. Review Ground Tackle

Inspect all of your anchor’s rode and ground tackle. Replace components such as the line, chain, or shackles showing excessive corrosion or wear and tear.

9. Switch on the Navigation Lights

Make sure they work; if they don’t, you know what to do— replace them.

10. Schedule a VSC

If you want the Coast Auxiliary or Power Squadrons to help make your boat as safe as possible, schedule a Vessel Safety Check. Volunteer members of either group will come to your marina or your house (for trailered boats) to conduct a VSC. If you pass, you receive a VSC decal for the year. To schedule a VSC, visit wow. uscgaux.info.

Accomplish everything on this list, and you and your boat are set for boating season.