Past Lessons...
Use the illustration and the descriptions to become acquainted with the names of the different parts of a sailboat, and to learn what they do.
The hull,
which is commonly made of fiberglass, wood or aluminum, has one of three
basics shapes: flat bottom, round bottom, or v-shaped bottom. Multihull
craft have two or more hulls joined by a deck or cross beams. Attached
to the stern (aft or front part of the hull) is the rudder,
which is controlled by the helm-tiller or a steering wheel. The rudder
is turned to starboard (right) or port (left) to steer the boat. Extended
down from the hull is a keel, a centerboard or a daggerboard, which
is used to keep the boat from moving sideways under certain wind conditions.
It also increases the boat's stability and aids in steering it.
The mast, booms and any other poles used to support the sails are called spars. They are usually made of aluminum or wood.
The standing rigging is usually stainless steel wire to hold up the mast. A stay runs from the top of the mast to the bow ( front) or stern (rear) and the shrouds run from the top of the mast to the port (left) and starboard (right) side of the hull to give sideways support.
The running rigging, which is usually line (fiber rope), wire rope, or a combination, is used to manipulate the sails. A sail is pulled up by the halyard and adjusted out by an outhaul, and down by a downhaul. A sheet adjusts a sail's angle to the wind. A topping lift raises or lowers the outer end of the boom or pole. Guys control the fore-and-aft position of poles.
The sails can be made of Dacron (a polyester material), Mylar or Kevlar (a type of plastic), sewn together. The basic names for the sails are the mainsail, which attaches to the mast and the jib, which attaches to the jibstay.
Congratulations! Now you know the main parts of a sailboat!
A fore and aft rig has one or more masts. Each mast carries fore and aft sails. The various rigs differ only in the height and placement of the mast or masts. Each rig may carry a variety of sails. Most modern sailboats have fore and aft rigs.
Following are the basic sail rigs commonly seen today.
Catboat. One mast stepped (set) well forward. It has one sail regardless of size. Some times referred to as an una rig.
Sloop. One mast stepped farther back then the cat and farther forward than the cutter's. Most pleasure crafts are sloops which carry a jib (fore) and a mainsail (aft).
Cutter. One mast, stepped at a point about two-fifths of the waterline length from the bow.
Yawl. Two masts, a tall mainmast and a short mizzenmast stepped behind the rudder post.
Ketch. Two masts, a tall mainmast and a medium height mizzenmast stepped in front of the rudder post.
Schooner. Two or more masts, the artermast being as tall or taller than the others. Some schooners have carried seven masts.
Modern pleasure sailboats range from one person boats (8 feet) to luxury yachts measuring 150 feet or more in length. They are divided into three basic types according to the activity for which they are designed.
1. A Daysailer is a small boat designed for comfortable sailing but without sleeping accommodation. It has a roomy cockpit and can have an outboard auxiliary engine.
2. A cruiser is a medium sized or large boat that has a cabin with sleeping quarters, head (toilet), galley (where food is prepared) and generally has an auxiliary engine built inside.
3. A racer is a boat designed for speed and ease of handling, often at the expense of comfort. The two popular styles are the racer-day-sailer designed primarily for racing and secondary for day sailing, and the cruiser-racer, designed mainly for overnight cruising and secondary for racing.
Congratulations! Now you know the main types of fore and aft sailing rigs!
Safety afloat is a broad topic and should be a continuous ongoing learning process for beginners and for experienced sailors. Because of the small space I have available on my Website we will only learn some of the basic safety essentials to get you started. Bear in mind the more you know and learn about safety afloat, the longer you will survive in any hazardous situation.
Here are a few important safety precautions before setting foot on your boat.
If you plan to go sailing by yourself make certain that you have permission from your parents and/or your sailing instructor.
The following is a list of safety items you will need to take with you. Some are required by law and others are things you might need.
From the information above make a safety checklist and use the checklist until it becomes a routine. As a skipper you are in charge of your boat. Once you sail away you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of everyone sailing with you. Be smart, serious and have fun.
The best way to learn about small craft safety is to take a safety course. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, State Boating Commission and many Yacht clubs offer courses in Boating Safety, Rules of the Road and Basic Navigation. It's a fun course to take. Bring some of your friends along, you'll have a great time. Some insurance companies will reduce your rates if you show them a safety boating certificate.
Check out my Marine-Related Links. You'll find US Power Squadron under Marine Information and News.
The prerequisite to this month's lesson is that you have already practiced, practiced and practiced rigging your boat and you know all the parts and equipment by heart.
Before getting underway (when the boat is moving and you have it under control), you have rigged your boat, you have checked the safety checklist off that was in last month's lesson, and you have all the safety equipment aboard. Now the fun and adventure begins.
Before leaving the dock, all good sailors check to see where the wind is
coming from and how hard the wind is blowing. Remember, only go out when
the weather is favorable for pleasant sailing. It's difficult to learn
how to sail when conditions are bad.
You can't see the wind, but you can see what the wind does to flags, pennants, trees, smoke, your hair, etc. You can also feel the wind on your face. Check out the birds when they're perching - they always face into the wind. Wind also creates ripples that make the water darker, this is how many sailboat racers find wind during calms. A good way to see what direction the wind is blowing is to tie strips of red yarn high up on your sailboats outer shrouds. This will show you where the wind is coming from, no matter where the boat is headed.
Because a sailboat can not sail directly into the wind, the sailor needs to know all the points of sail that a sailboat can sail. As we continue through the lesson, please take note of the wind diagrams provided.
When the wind is blowing on to the bow, your boat is in the no sail zone - the boat will not move, except drifting backwards. It is in this zone that you raise and lower your sails. Another term used when heading into the wind is luffing. Luffing is an excellent way to reduce speed to stop at a dock or mooring by using the sails as a break. When you luff, the sails will flap noisily in the breeze.
With the sails
raised you are now ready to fall off the wind (to move the bow away
from the wind). Once you have turned the bow so that the wind can blow
on just one side of the sails, you are underway. Fall off typically about
45 degrees from where the wind is coming from. Look at the wind diagram
- in any of the sail zone areas shown other than the no sail zone, your
boat will move. As the boat turns away from the no sail zone, or falls
off, the sails will fill with wind and you will sail away.
If you have no engine, you will need to raise all sails before leaving the dock or untie from a mooring. Before you untie or cast off, check out the wind, other boats, docks, rocks and figure out a path that will let you leave without banging into anything.
The direction of the wind on your sails is referred to as the tack you are on. You must choose what tack gives you the most room to get you where you want to go.
The following are terms you will use when sailing:
If you plan to go sailing by yourself, make certain that you have permission from your parents and/or your sailing instructor. While you're learning, it is better to have a friend along who knows how to sail or have someone in another boat helping you. Once you get the basic understanding of how to sail, you will be able to sail by yourself. Remember: Always wear your PFD (Personal Flotation Device)!
