This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalised service. By agreeinging to this statement you consent for us to use cookies that ensure the marketing we do is relevant to you. Please read our cookie notice for more information on the cookies we use and how to delete or block them.

Making the Boat Turn

< Back

  • Turning Forces

    turning-forces.gif The boat turns about the centreboard, in the middle of the boat. You can think of it as if the boat is hanging on a string tied to the top of the mast. If you push the front away from you, the back will turn towards you. If you push the back away, then the front will turn towards you.

    Sitting in the normal position, with the wind coming over your shoulder and the boom over the other side of the boat, you push the tiller away from you to steer the boat closer towards the wind, because this pushes the stern away from the wind, turning the bow towards the wind.

    There are Three ways to make the boat turn.

    DIRECTION
    with-rudder1.gif
    Away from the wind
    (bearing away)
    DIRECTION
    with-rudder-2.gif
    Towards the wind
    (luffing up)

    With the rudder.

    with-rudder-3.gif
    with-rudder-4.gif
    Pull the tiller towards you and the boat turns away from the wind.
    Push the tiller away from you and the boat turns towards the wind.

    With the Sails.

    sails1.gif
    sails2.gif
    Pull the front sail (jib) in tight and let the back (main) sail flap and the boat turns away from the wind.
    Pull the main sail in tight and let the jib flap and the boat turns towards the wind.

    By letting the boat lean. 

    lean1.gif
    lean2.gif
    If you make the boat tip (heel) towards you the boat turns away from the wind.
    If you make the heel away from you the boat turns towards the wind. This is what will happen if you let everything go.


    close

    JUNIOR SAILING SCHOOL

    image for add

    BOOK NOW right