moving around on a Vanguard 15

[Tortuga12]

So, my wife and I took out one of the school's Vanguard 15's for the first time last week, and while it was fun (definitely moves better in light air), because I'm a fairly tall guy, moving around on the boat was a PITA! Seems like I was always fighting the tiller extension, boom, and yes, my wife, to get to the other gunwale during a tack. Any suggestions from those who have been there before?

[Hartley18]

Tortuga, it's a common problem in all small sailing dinghys, but being tall is an advantage because you can hike out further.. What you need to do is:

1. Plan your moves,
2. Practice at the dock, and only then
3. Go do it on the water.

There are plenty of books on the subject - "Sailing For Dummies" is one.

If you're the skipper, tacking requires swapping your tiller and mainsheet hands and turning to face the back of the boat during a tack, whilst ducking under the boom. It's hard to describe without pictures or someone showing you, but it is possible and you'll get used to it in time!

Happy sailing!

[nolatom]

Hartley/Tortuga,

I can't describe it either, but my recollection is that I pass the tiller from one hand to the other while facing forward. I almost have to reenact it to make sure I'm describing it correctly.

So I guess it can be done either way. But if the boat is older than you are, get used to the idea that you have to move around like someone younger than the boat.

That's why we call the resulting bruises and cuts, "boat bites"...;-)

[Hartley18]

I suspect there is a couple of different ways depending upon which school you went to..

We way we were taught decades ago was for the skipper to swap hands and then face backward so that during the tack:
1. You don't let go of the tiller extension
2. You don't let go of the mainsheet.
3. You're looking at the end of the tiller so you're less likely to foul it.
4. You can duck under the boom without head-butting your crew.
5. You end up on the other side, ready to go - not in a mess.

BTW, the apple-sized "boat bruises" appearing on the outside of both thighs half-way between your waist and your knees are a distinctive part of "The Art of Sailing" and something to wear with pride...

[eMKay]

Originally Posted by Tortuga12

So, my wife and I took out one of the school's Vanguard 15's for the first time last week, and while it was fun (definitely moves better in light air), because I'm a fairly tall guy, moving around on the boat was a PITA! Seems like I was always fighting the tiller extension, boom, and yes, my wife, to get to the other gunwale during a tack. Any suggestions from those who have been there before?

I had that problem with my first boat, I bought a bigger one Not much bigger, just with a deeper cockpit, and higher boom. Now I'm not uncomfortable after an hour either.