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Basic principles of Sail trimming |
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Tuesday, 17 March 2009 10:08 |
 Sail trim can be a bit of a mystery to the inexperienced sailor. Most of us know the basics - letting out the main and the headsail as we come off the wind, or tightening the sheets as we come closer to the wind. But the rest can seem a bit like magic. In fact simple steps will help you get the best from your sails no matter where the wind is coming from.
Trimming your sails to get the very best from your yacht will help you gain a knot or two, and so save an hour or two on a longer passage. But above all, it will ease the load on your crew, and the helmsman will love you for it.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 10:12 |
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Anchoring - which Anchor to buy? |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 20:17 |
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 One of the first questions that most people tend to ask about anchors is 'what kind is best'? Well, it depends to some extent on the nature of the seabed. Some anchors are better in mud and sand, others in seaweed or rocky bottoms. There's no doubt that for seaweed and rocky bottoms, the good old fisherman is better than the plough. But it's an awkward anchor to stow, or to have ready on the bow roller. So most people compromise, having found one that works for them.
But don't think that all anchors are the same. Last year, I spent a weekend teaching on a charter yacht that still had the anchor that had been fitted by the yacht supplier. It was under-weight, and frankly awful. I enjoy anchoring, but we spent the weekend dragging our way around the Solent.It really does pay to buy a decent anchor.
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 20:29 |
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Anchoring - Catenery & Scope |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 20:12 |
You do need to understand two basic principles about anchoring. The first is that the task of the anchor is to keep the end of the anchor chain, not the yacht, anchored to the same spot. To do this, it has to be properly bedded in.
The second is that there needs to be enough weight of anchor chain on the sea bed so that, no matter how strong the pull from the yacht, the last few metres of chain always remain on the sea bed, so that the pull on the anchor is always horizontal. No matter what depth you're in, the pull transferred from the anchor chain to the anchor should always be parallel with the sea bed.
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 20:15 |
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Anchoring - check it's ready! |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 20:07 |
Checking the anchor should be part of your safety check before putting to sea. The first thing to do is to make sure that it can be easily released, and that the anchor cable can run smoothly. Check the locking pin, and replace it if it's bent, or stiff, or rusted.
If you've got a swivel between the anchor and the chain, I suggest you replace it with a shackle. A swivel is, in theory, a good idea, but in my view this is one place where theory and practice differ. [Editor's note: see the discussion on this point in the forum here]
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Last Updated on Monday, 02 February 2009 17:31 |
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Anchoring - a key safety issue |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 19:49 |
 A few years ago, while on passage I overheard a conversation between Solent Coastguard and a small motor vessel whose engine had failed. It went something like this:
“Hello, hello? Can anyone help us? Our engine has stopped and we're drifting towards the shore.”
“Vessel calling for assistance, this is Solent Coastguard. Please give your position. Are you able to anchor?”
“Hello Coastguard. We are about half a mile from some rocks. What is an anchor?”
(Somewhat ironically): “Vessel calling for assistance, this is Solent Coastguard. The anchor is the thing you use to tie your boat to the seabed. Please count slowly up to ten so we can get a bearing on you. Over.”
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 20:01 |
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Passage Planning - crew competence |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 19:32 |
 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) requires yachtsmen to take account not only of routeing, tides, weather, and navigational hazards: it also requires us to bear in mind the competence of the crew.
“The MCA expects all mariners to make a careful assessment of any proposed voyage taking into account all dangers to navigation, weather forecasts, tidal predictions and other relevant factors including the competence of the crew.”
For those crews who sail together regularly, it's a fairly easy call. We know that Jim hates being out in rain and gets sea sick. We know that Sally is a bit weak on navigation, but a brilliant helm. But even if you think you know your crew well, it's easy to get it wrong.
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 19:34 |
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Passage Planning - weather |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 19:29 |
 Whilst most of your passage planning can be done in advance, the weather is something that you have to check, and keep checking. In our technologically advanced society, and particularly in home waters, there really isn't any excuse for anyone putting to sea without a good understanding of what the weather is likely to do.
I say 'likely', because, even with the best forecasting service and the most diligent skipper, it's possible to get caught if the wind is stronger than predicted, or the front arrives a lot sooner than expected. But the risks are minimised if we take care to check the weather first.
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 19:31 |
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Friday, 02 January 2009 19:26 |
 Much of the passage planning can be done days, if not weeks, ahead. Anticipation of the voyage can be part of the fun, particularly if you're making a passage in foreign waters. Checking the routeing is the first thing to do, along with any ports of refuge, any 'difficult bits', and of course, making sure that you have the necessary charts and pilot books on board.
The next thing to do, and it can also be done in advance, is to check the tides. Of course, if you're sailing in the Mediterranean, you won't have to worry too much once you get a reasonable distance from Gibraltar.
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Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2009 19:37 |
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Sailers is written and edited by a volunteer team (currently two - the two Richards!) of experienced yachstmen! We're looking for volunteer reporters and assistant editors. If you are interested, please volunteer here. 
We review the Icom IC-M35 handheld. Read the full review here. 
Sail Trimming. Learn the basic principles, and how to get the best from your sails, in our Seamanship articles. 
Seamanship
Rehearsing your Man Overboard proceedure is a vital part of your safety briefing, particularly at the start of the Season. We are pleased to offer a 'Step by Step' proceedure by Teki Dalton. 
Flare Advice Changes. 
Plastimo XM is recalling a batch of XM liferafts that showed the potential for developing micro leaks. 
