Quote:
Originally Posted by L124C
Do other skippers notice this? If so, how do you convey to novices that a sailboat needs way on to maneuver around an obstical?
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Before altering course we teach helmsmen to issue commands:
"bearing away, ease the sheets"
"heading up, harden the sheets"
"prepare to gybe"
"prepare to come about"
The only one without a preparatory command is "heaving-to."
The way issues is crucial under power when maneuvering at slow speed. On a fin keel I like about .5 knots to maintain steerage. On full keels, you may need 1 knot. It does vary from boat to boat.
We also teach maneuvering in close quarters so that they can use prop walk to turn a boat on its keel.
Pinching is something to be avoided; you slow down and make leeway.