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View Full Version : Recurring Sail Training



huisjen
10-06-2003, 05:30 PM
Someone's comment about accidentally ramming the dock the other day got me thinking.

I row a small boat (7 1/2 feet). I'm planning to build a slightly bigger boat (15 feet) this winter, and I hope that I manage to put together something that sails reasonably well, although it will hardly be high performance.

I learned to sail in NROTC, which means I had a basic theory course, accompanied by too little time on the water. I've sailed a little in small boats since then, but never as much as I'd like, and in my own estimation, I'm not a very good or very experienced sailor, yet.

When I learned to fly, I'd go up over Mt. Diablo or San Pablo Bay, and practice things like minimum controlable airspeed, stalls, and turns around a point. It seems like similar behaviors are applicable to sailing.

Does anyone here make a regular practice of making docking approaches on things like lobster buoys from various points of wind? What else do people do to improve their sailing skills?

Dan

Art Read
10-06-2003, 06:18 PM
Hey, now! I didn't "ram" the dock! I just "bumped" it a little bit... ;)

High C
10-06-2003, 06:36 PM
Just get yourself a couple of these and don't worry 'bout hitting that dock. :D

http://www.tltinternational.com/image/marine%20fender/mf108.JPG

Todd Bradshaw
10-06-2003, 07:29 PM
I like sailing tight figure-8's for practice. You can either do your turns as soon as the boat is up to speed or throw in some downspeed tacks to get the feel for them, too. Adding a buoy or other non-life-threatening obstacle to the mix makes things even better.

Paul Scheuer
10-06-2003, 09:18 PM
An MOB drill now and then doesn't hurt.