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Drills for Skills - Sailing Backwards
Published Mon 23 Sep 2024
Drill/Game: Sailing Backwards
Demonstrate the course on a whiteboard showing a yacht in head wind position, with the main backed. Discuss how the rudder works in reverse (Follow the line over the tiller). Discuss situations in which this skill can be applied including: leaving the dock, backing out of a bad position on a start line. Explain how to maintain control when sailing backwards.
Course/Skill level:
Green fleet /intermediate fleet
Min and Max Number of Participants:
Any number of Boats
Session training outcomes/Aims:
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slow the boat down to stop by backing the mainsail,
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sail backwards,
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accelerate from a near stationary position.
Set-up:
Rigged yacht on water and power boat
Equipment Requirements:
Ideally a Mark although it’s not essential. mini whiteboard, magnetic boats, Rigged yacht on water and power boat
Risk-management considerations:
When running this exercise
What is your back-up plan in case any of the above activities fail?
Can be harder for some single handed boats, alternatively take out less boats and double up participants –they still get the understanding of the manoeuvre and the feel of the boat sailing backwards (best done when swapping skipper and crew). If the weather is bad, demonstrate manoeuvre on shore in a sheltered area.
Key Messages:
What are the key messages you want the audience to gain from the session?
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Coaching Points:
- Sail up into the ‘No Go Zone’ & boat slows / stops
- PUSH out the boom which backs the mainsail. (Safety Note. Crew need to be able to easily release; position them so that they hold boom on the windward side. When they let go, boom falls away from them towards the middle of the boat)
- PUSH the tiller towards the boom (allows the boat to spin into a position where the boom is over the leeward side and can be released
- PULL the tiller to stop the boat spinning - the boat should now be across the wind
- PULL the mainsheet to allow the boat to set sail forward
