5.4 Sailing Close-Hauled and Tacking
When sailing close-hauled, or as close as possible to the wind, it is important
to get the mainsail as near as possible to the centreline, especially when
sailing the RS Cat 16 with the mainsail and jib. The Downhaul should be firmly
tensioned for upwind work. To pull it on, quickly put the boat head to wind.
You should hold the tiller extension across your body, with a knuckles-up grip,
enabling you to use one or two fingers as a temporary cleat when adjusting
the mainsheet.
The jib sheet should be pulled in fairly hard when sailing upwind – tighter in
stronger winds and less so in lighter winds. Sail to the jib tell-tails, keeping the
one on the back of the sail streaming and the one closest to you either
streaming or lifting upwards slightly.
To tack, push the tiller extension away from you and, as the boat starts to
turn, Keep the Jib cleated until you are on the new tack and step across the
Tramp facing forwards and pass the extension behind the mainsheet, Once
the boat has completed the turn, bring the tiller back into the centre before
sitting down on the new side, with the tiller extension behind your back. When
you are settled, swap the mainsheet and the tiller extension into the new
hands.
If the boat slows right down and feels lifeless when close-hauled, you could
be sailing too close to the wind. Ease the mainsheet and ‘bear off’ away from
the wind for a while to get the boat going again.
34
Summary of Contents for RS Cat 16
Page 1: ...Owner s Manual v2...
Page 9: ...Assembly Guide 4 1 Hulls PLEASE FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDE IN THE CORRECT ORDER 7...
Page 20: ...Assembly Guide 4 2 Mast PLEASE FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDE IN THE CORRECT ORDER 18...
Page 24: ...10 S AND XL ONLY Add furler line 4 2 ASSEMBLY MAST 22...
Page 25: ...Assembly Guide 4 3 Sails PLEASE FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDE IN THE CORRECT ORDER 23...
Page 28: ...Assembly Guide 4 4 Spinnaker PLEASE FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDE IN THE CORRECT ORDER XL only 26...
Page 31: ...8 9 TACK H EAD Add spinnaker sheet Tidy slack into pocket 4 4 ASSEMBLY SPINNAKER 29...
Page 32: ...Assembly Guide 4 5 Foils PLEASE FOLLOW ASSEMBLY GUIDE IN THE CORRECT ORDER 30...
Page 33: ...1 2 4 5 ASSEMBLY FOILS 31...
Page 57: ......