| If you are anything like me, when you first started to | | | | Pull the mainsheet in to bring the sailboat boom as |
| learn to sail, downwind sailing was the toughest point | | | | close to the centerline as possible. Next, jibe the boat. |
| of sail. That sailboat boom--like a battering ram from | | | | Release the mainsheet and feed it out under control. |
| King Arthur's day--seemed ready at any moment to | | | | This technique keeps the jibe under perfect control |
| swing across the boat and bonk you on the head. | | | | and prevents strain on the boom gooseneck (where |
| Here are five sailing tips you can use right now to | | | | the boom attaches to the mast). |
| make downwind sailing easier, safer, and a real | | | | 4. Reef Before You Fall Off |
| breeze! | | | | Prevent big problems by tucking in a reef or two |
| Even the pros find sailing downwind a challenge. That's | | | | before you fall off downwind. This de-powers the |
| because it takes just a subtle shift in the true wind to | | | | main, keeps high loads off of boom fittings, and gives |
| make the apparent wind shift a lot. Follow these five | | | | you better control when downwind sailing in gusty |
| tips: | | | | conditions. If you intend to sail downwind for an |
| 1. Use a Boom Vang (Smaller Sailboats) | | | | extended period, rig a preventer as described above. If |
| Use your boom vang on smaller boats to prevent | | | | the wind picks up and you need to change course |
| accidental jibes. Release the lower snap shackle from | | | | back upwind, your set to go with a reef already |
| the mast attachment point. Move it out to a strong | | | | tucked in! |
| deck padeye near the shrouds. Allow about 1" to 2" of | | | | 5. Dampen the Mainsail or Sail by Headsail Alone |
| give in the boom vang to keep excessive strain off of | | | | Some boats use a damping method when carrying |
| the boom. | | | | lots of headsail and or spinnakers downwind. They will |
| 2. Rig an "End-of-Boom" Line (Larger Sailboats) | | | | sheet the reefed main hard in near the center-line and |
| Larger sailboats need something less restrictive and | | | | leave it there. And then sail with two headsails or a |
| with more give than a boom vang. Attach a line twice | | | | spinnaker. Or, you may want to drop the mainsail |
| the length of the boat to the end of the boom. Run it | | | | altogether and sail with headsails alone. Long distance |
| forward to the bow. Attach a snatch block to the | | | | cruising sailboats use this method often to make sailing |
| stemhead fitting (where the headstay attaches). Pass | | | | stress free and fun. |
| the line through the snatch block and back to the | | | | Use these five sailing tips to learn to sail downwind |
| cockpit. Use a sailboat winch to make adjustments. | | | | under complete control--without the worry of |
| 3. Center the Boom Before You Jibe | | | | accidental jibes or being overpowered. This will boost |
| Whether sailing single handed or with crew, you need | | | | your sailing skipper skills to new heights wherever in |
| to "de-power" the mainsail before you jibe the boat. | | | | the world you choose to sail. |