CRUISING TIPS
TACKING A MODERN CUTTER
Unlike a traditional gaff cutter with a long bowsprit and a highcut, narrow jib, most of today’s cutters are really masthead sloops with an inner forestay to take the staysail. The result is a lot less gap between the two forestays than with the older boats. Worse yet, the masthead stay usually carries a sizeable genoa that inevitably gets caught up with the inner forestay as the boat tacks. On passage this isn’t much of an issue, since the boat doesn’t come about every five minutes and the genny can always be rolled half-way in to help it through. However, if the tacks are short and furling not an option, misery is the portion of many a skipper. The best answer I have found is to leave the staysail aback until the genoa has been tacked. This way the big sail can’t fall into the gap because there isn’t one. Instead, it slides across the backed stay- sail without trouble. Once it has been sheeted in, the staysail is let draw with ease.
GIVE THE TROOPS A CHANCE ON THE TACKING
Aboard a cruiser, it’s far better to “steer” through the wind rather than simply heave the helm hard over. Bang it down like a dinghy sailor, and the poor souls on the sheets will soon stop liking you. Instead, try turning gently, especially at that critical moment after the bow has passed though the wind. Steer 10 degrees above close-hauled until the crew has winched in the genoa before you fill away onto the new tack. Joy for all, no broken hearts, and the boat will have come about more effectively too.
KATABATIC WINDS
These come in various incarnations depending on whereabouts on the planet you happen to be sailing. However, they all originate in a parcel of cold air high on a hill that then decides to roll down on top of you. My worst such experience was in Corsica. I was at the leeward end of a line of stern-to yachts with their bows held up to the wind by anchors. When the katabatic came ripping down the mountain at sunset the whole fleet dragged, pinning my yacht hard against the wall. Not funny. Alaska also has a private speciality that shredded my pal’s jib in half a minute. Similarly, over in Scotland, I once found a fine anchorage in the Isle of Skye where the wind blew all night long. Out at sea, things stayed calm. Wherever you are, be ready in the vicinity of high mountains.
RADAR AS A TOOL FOR CLOSE-IN PILOTING
The most accurate tool for assessing distance from a solid target that isn’t broadcasting on AIS is radar. With this in mind, whenever you have to traverse a narrow channel close to the shore with off-lying dangers and you can’t line up two objects to see you through, select the most appropriate range setting, then set the variable range marker (VRM) to a safe distance from whichever shore seems likely to offer the best radar target. You can then ‘hand rail” along, sure of your distance off. Double-check everything, make sure you have a bailout plan in case the radar goes on the blink, then go ahead, keeping the VRM just touching the echo of the cliff. s