Leaving the Dock

Your boat is rigged, you’ve got a safety plan, and you’re finally ready to leave the dock.  So, how do you steer your sailboat away from the safety of the dock without damaging other boats or ending up on the rocks?  Regardless of the size of the vessel, and whether you are using an engine or sailing directly off the dock, it is important to note three factors:

1. Wind direction and strength:The most important thing to notice is whether the wind is blowing on the dock, off the dock, or along the dock.
2. Current direction and strength:It is important to notice whether the current and the wind are blowing in the same direction or opposing direction.  Again, notice whether the current moving onto the dock, along the dock, or off the dock.
3. Obstacles immediately off the dock (such as boats, rocks, etc).

Leaving the dock when the wind is blowing off dock

This is a relatively easy way to leave the dock. The goal is to allow your bow to leave the dock first, establish some speed, and gradually steer away from the dock.  If you are in a small boat with the sails up, you can ease your sail and bring your boat alongside the dock, untie the bow line and either allow your bow to drift off the dock or gently pull on the dock at the stern forcing your bow off the dock.  It is important to know that your sailboat will not steer unless it is moving through the water.  As your bow moves away from the dock, keep your sail(s) eased to allow your boat to turn away from the wind.

If you are motoring off the dock, you should detach your lines so the bow leaves the dock first (for more on using your dock lines, check out this post).  Once your bow is off the dock, simply take in your other lines and steer away from the dock.

Common Mistakes

Steering your bow off the dock with a stern line still attached – When your sail is full but you are still attached to the dock, it becomes difficult to release the stern line.  On windy days your boat may leave the dock in an uncontrolled manner, making it difficult to steer.  Make sure you release your stern line as soon as you leave the dock, or simply remove the stern line before you even begin to sail off the dock.

Jibing your boat as soon as you leave the dock – As you steer off the dock make sure you don’t turn too sharply.  This will cause your boat to jibe and may temporarily cause a loss of control, and may even land you back on the dock.  To avoid this, gently sail off the dock while slowly turning your boat keeping the wind coming over the side of your boat instead of over the stern.

When the current is moving very strongly onto the dock – If the current is much stronger than the wind you are going to have difficulty sailing off the dock.  If you have to leave the dock in these conditions, you must very quickly establish speed.  Either by using your lines, or a friend, force your bow off the dock, sheet in your sail(s) slightly and gain speed as quickly as you can.  If possible, keep your boat on a broad reach (check out the post on the points of sail for more information) to help increase your speed.

Leaving the dock when the wind is blowing along the dock

Leaving the dock when the wind is blowing alongside the dock is very similar to when the wind is blowing off the dock as long as the bow is facing the direction of the wind.  The key to leaving the dock when the wind is blowing alongside the dock is to ensure that the bow of the boat leaves the dock first allowing the wind to help push the boat off the dock as shown in the picture below.

When the wind is blowing along the dock and the stern is facing the direction of the wind, you have two options.  First, you can release the stern line and swing the boat around so the bow is facing the wind, or you can sail or maneuver off directly.  The challenge of attempting to steer off the dock with the wind on the stern is that the wind will push the bow back onto the dock.  To do this, make sure your sail is on the same side of your boat as the dock.  As soon as you start to sail off the dock, sheet in your sail and bring your boat to a beam reach.

Common Mistakes

Not removing your stern line – This will cause your boat to swing all the way around and jibe while still on the dock.

Drifting back into the dock or another boat that is downwind of your boat – when the stern is facing the wind, not gaining enough speed or trying to turn too quickly may result in your boat losing steerage and drifting downwind into whatever boat or obstacle is there. This may also occur if there is a strong current flowing onto the dock.  To avoid this, turn your boat to face the wind before leaving the dock.

Leaving the dock when the wind is blowing on dock

This is by far the most difficult situation in which to leave the dock, since as soon as you steer your bow off the dock, the wind will blow it back on.  The general rule is to force the bow off the dock, either by someone pushing, or by using your dock lines to force the bow off the dock.  Once your bow is away from the dock, quickly sheet in your sails and attempt to gain as much speed as possible while steering a course that will just allow you to clear the dock.  If you are using a motor, it is important to quickly increase your speed to gain steerage and steer directly away from the dock.

When the current is also moving onto the dock it is even more difficult to leave the dock.  You may need a large push or even a tow to leave the dock under these conditions.

Common Mistakes

Turning into the wind – If you turn your boat into the wind too much, your sails will luff, you will lose momentum, and you will be blown back down onto the dock.  To avoid this, steer your boat so you just clear the dock and then tack when you need to change directions.

Stay tuned for more information on leaving the dock under advanced conditions.

Using the Wind

The wind enables a sailboat to move through the water by supplying a force that is captured by the sails.  The wind allows the vessel to sail every direction except directly into the wind.  Before you get ready to harness the wind on your sailboat, make sure you understand the different attributes of the wind by reading this post.

During your time on the water, it’s important to constantly check where the wind is coming from.  Any change in wind speed and direction may indicate a change in weather, and/or a change in how you are sailing your boat.  Knowing that it is difficult to maneuver your boat into the directly into the wind, you should plan your sail so you are not sailing on this difficult point of sail when you are headed back to the dock for the day.

A general rule is that the closer your boat is pointed to where the wind is coming from, the closer your sails should be trimmed to the center of your boat.  When you are sailing away from the wind your sails should be let all the way out.  In very general terms, you should trim your sails so that each sail is as perpendicular to the direction of the wind as possible.  You can tell your sails are trimmed correctly because they are not luffing (shaking).  To assure your sails are trimming correctly, ease your sails out until they luff and then pull them back in just until the stop shaking.  To learn more about trimming your sails, check out the posting on the Points of Sail.

Rigging a Sailboat

The exact way you rig your sailboat depends on the type of sailboat, but no matter what, there are some basic thoughts you should consider.  When you rig a sailboat, you put on and raise the sails, and in some cases put in the centerboard, rudder and tiller.

Before you get started, you will decide whether you are going to rig your boat at the dock, or motor away from the dock and rig your boat on the water.  Either way, the best position to rig your boat is with the bow pointed towards where the wind is coming from.  This is allows you to raise the sails without the wind catching them when you are still at the dock.  If it is not possible to raise the sails while the boat is directed at the wind, you can ease the sheets to keep the sails from filling.

In most situations, it is best to completely prepare the boat in everyday before you raise the sails.  This includes putting in the centerboard, placing the rudder on the stern of the boat and attaching the tiller, and bending on (attaching) all the sails.  Since each boat is different I won’t go into detail as to how to rig each boat, but this basic instruction should give you a good idea of how to get started.

Tacking

Tacking

A sailboat can sail in every direction except straight into the wind.  In order to sail in the direction the wind is coming from, you need to sail as close to the wind as possible and tack your boat as shown in the diagram below.

When you tack a boat, you turn the boat so that the bow passes through the wind and the sails switch from one side of the boat to the other side.  It is important to practice tacking until you can smoothly maneuver your boat quickly through a tack.

When you are first learning to tack, start with your boat in a close hauled position (see the post on the points of sail if you aren’t sure how to do this).  Before you tack it is important to know which way the wind is coming from and to be aware of any obstacles you may encounter when you turn your boat.

1. Alert your crew of your intentions to tack by calling out the command: “ready about.”  When prepared, your crew should respond “ready.”
2. You are now ready to tack.  Call out the command: “Helms-a-lee.”  And turn the boat sharply into the wind (if steering with a tiller, push the tiller towards the sails).
3. As the boat turns into the wind, the sails will luff and will pass across the boat to the other side.  If you have a jib you will need to pass the sail by bringing in the lines on the leeward side of the boat and easing the sides on the windward side.
4. Once your sails have passed, straighten out your steering and adjust your sails to you new point of sail.  Make sure you are aware of any new obstacles on your new point of sail.

Preparing to Leave the Dock

As you prepare for your first sail, here a few things to consider to ensure a safe and successful time on the water.  What you do to prepare may depend on whether you are headed out alone on a small boat, or are sailing with friends on an overnight excursion, but there are a few things that you should do no matter what.  These things are important whether you are sailing for the first time, or the 500^th time.  To ensure success you need to check the weather, the tides and currents, hazards to navigation, your boat, and your equipment. Checking these 5 things each time you sail takes only a few minutes and can help keep you safe on the water.

First, make sure you have at least the following items onboard:

• Life Jackets for every person onboard
• Communication device – a VHF radio and/or cell phone – remember you may not have cell phone coverage where you are going
• Water and food – even for a short sail you should take a water bottle.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat – The water reflects the sun and makes it very easy to get burnt
• A watch
• A shirt or jacket in case it cools off or you get wet

Second, make sure you have a safety plan.  Make sure someone (who is not with you) knows where you are going and when you’re planning on returning.  Here is a checklist of things you should communicate to someone on land.

• Where you are going
• What time you plan to return
• What to do if you don’t return
• What communication and emergency equipment you have with you

Third, check the weather

You can check the weather by watching the TV, checking the internet, watching the sky, or listening to your VHF radio. You should make sure there are no reports for thunderstorms or high winds in your area and the area you are planning to sail.  You also want to make sure that there will be at least some wind.  It is very frustrating to get on the water only to bob around and have to fight to get back in at the end of the day.  You should also note which direction the wind is coming from.

Fourth, make sure you know the local tides and currents.

In some locations, the tides and currents are not important; however it is always important to check on the local conditions.  If tidal currents impact your area, it is a good plan to sail out with the outgoing current and use the incoming tide to help you return to the dock.

Fifth, check a chart, or talk to someone about any underwater hazards near your sailing location.  The last thing you want on your first sail is to hit something. If you are headed out sailing for the first time or are sailing in a new place, it is important to know what dangerous rocks, shoals, sunken boats, or other hazards lurk under the water. Depending on the type of sailing you are planning, you can either check out a chart, or talk to other boaters about the area.

Finally, check your boat to make sure it is rigged properly. While it may sound silly, you should double-check that you have all the parts. I have seen more than one person push away from a dock only to realize they forgot to put on their rudder and have no means of steering.

While this may seem like a lot of things to think about every time you leave the dock, pretty soon they will become second nature.  Get ready to enjoy yourself on the water!