ABW Dec 2019 -1

Article excerpts reprinted from the book
CRUISER HANDLING
by BOB BOND & STEVE SLEIGHT
Sailing Tips
You’ve always been interested to sail, but you know little about boat parts, the confusing techno-babble, and what
little you know is making your head spin in four different directions! Worry no more. This continuing series of articles
is for you: it covers tips regarding hardware present on most boats, as well as common sailing techniques, terms and
definitions, the names of the different pieces of hardware, and much more. This will keep you informed about most
things you will need before you begin your own sailing excursion. Be sure to consult with an experienced sailor and someone
knowledgeable about boats.
Apparent wind
If the navigator draws the
speed and direction of the
apparent wind and the created
wind to scale, joining the points
A to C will give the direction
and speed of the true wind.
With the boat on a close reach,
the true wind is weaker than
the apparent wind, and comes
from further aft. On a broad
reach, left, the true wind is still
from further aft but is stronger
than the apparent wind.
Steering with a tiller
The helmsman’s role on a sailing boat is a vital one since he is
directly in control of the boat’s course and performance. On
every cruising boat there should be more than one person
capable of steering proficiently on all points of sailing, in both
open and congested waters.
On any point of sailing, except close-hauled, the boat’s
course is determined by the passage plan or chosen heading.
Normally, the boat is pointed towards the destination, or a
land or sea mark en route, or it is steered on an appropriate
compass course worked out by the navigator. The helmsman
must be able to steer a more or less accurate course (to a
tolerance with 5° of the required heading) so that the navigator
can then plot the course correctly. Beginners often use too
much helm and the boat weaves a rather unsteady course as
a result - all helm movements should be kept to a minimum.
Steering to a visible mark is easier than steering a compass
course. When sailing to a windward destination the boat will
often have to tack several times and in these circumstances
the helmsman should aim to get the best performance out of
the boat, rather than steer to a predetermined heading, but
he must make a note of the average compass heading he is
steering and inform the navigator what it is, and if it changes.
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Taking a transit
Whenever you are sailing in tidal waters, the movement of
the water in relation to the seabed will always affect the
course you sail or your boat speed, or both. Most of the time
it is the navigator’s job to calculate the effect of a tidal stream
or current and to plot a course which will allow for it. However
there are times, when sailing in sight of land, when you need
to be able to adjust your course by eye to allow for a stream
setting across your course. You can do this by taking a transit
either ahead or astern of the boat. It consists of lining up two
fixed points - land or sea marks - and steering the boat to
keep them constantly in line. In a cross-stream you will have
to point the boat uptide of your objective to keep the objects
in line. If you do so, your boat will actually move crab-wise
across the seabed, but you will achieve the most direct and
the quickest course to your chosen destination.
Steering a compass course
Every boat should have at least one large compass fixed
to the cabin bulkhead or some other point where it can be
clearly seen by the helmsman, from either side of the boat.
Most ocmpasses show the course on a card which is marked
in degrees from 0° to 359°, clockwise around its face. To steer