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4.4 - Sailing Close Hauled and Tacking
When sailing close-hauled, or as close as possible to the wind, it is important to get the
boom as near as possible to the centreline. The kicking strap 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.
To tack, push the tiller extension away from you and, as the boat starts to turn, step
across the cockpit facing forwards. 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.
4.5 - Sailing Downwind and Gybing
4.6 - Reefing
When sailing downwind, the sail should be let out until about 90 degrees to the centre
line. To gybe, pull the tiller towards you and, as the boat starts to turn, step across the
cockpit facing forward. 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. Often, the boom will not want to come across until you have nearly completed the
gybe, so it often pays to give the mainsheet a tweak to encourage the boom over at the
moment that you want it to come! Once you are settled, swap the mainsheet and the
tiller extension into the new hands.
Mind your head when you gybe!
a)
Leaving the downhaul in the cleat, unclip the
kicking strap from the eye on the mast.
Summary of Contents for RS Zest
Page 1: ...Rigging Manual V1 PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER...
Page 5: ...3 3 Comissioning PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER...
Page 25: ...23 4 Sailing Hints PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER...
Page 30: ...28 5 Optional Accessories PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER...
Page 33: ...31 6 Maintenance PLEASE FOLLOW RIGGING MANUAL IN THE CORRECT ORDER...
