Set sail 1856278174

Citation preview

^ Weather

\ /L

\

The

sailing-boat

is

an almost perfect invention.

It

uses the natural forces of wind and sea, creating

order and direction from

does

this

a

is

How

relative chaos.

matter of great concern to the

sailor:

by understanding the theory behind a

boat’s

performance he or she can handle any

eventuality

to give a

on the open water. This book

full

it

sets

out

understanding of both the theory

and practice behind the

Set Sail provides

a

of

skill

sailing.

thorough grounding

in

principles and techniques of dinghy sailing and

cruiser

sailing.

Structured around the needs of the

individual sailor, the

book provides

informative course of instruction

the sport, whether

it

a graphic

in all

and

aspects of

be inshore dinghy racing or

offshore cruising.

Comprehensive, informative and above practical

Set Sail recognizes the need

all

for a

convenient manual that provides information, explanation and instruction illustrations of

fast.

With concise

apparatus and methods, and an

abundance of full-colour pictures the book guides the reader through boat-types, navigation, to first cruise

and

sail

theory and

first race.

includes indispensable sections

on

It

also

rules of the

road, emergencies afloat and boat maintenance

and repairs.

A QUANTUM BOOK Published by Grange Books

An

imprint of Grange Books pic

The Grange Grange Yard London SE1 3AG

Copyright

©

1989 Quintet Publishing Limited

This edition printed 1996 All rights reserved.

This book

is

protected by copyright.

reproduced, stored

in a retrieval

No

part of

it

may be

system, or transmitted in any

form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent publisher.

ISBN 1-85627-817-4 This book

was produced by

Quantum Books

Ltd

6 Blundell Street

London N7 9BH Printed in China by Leefung-Asco Printers Ltd

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

7

GLOSSARY

8

TYPES OF SAILING-BOAT SAILS

AND

SAIL TRIM

12

22

SAIL THEORY

34

GETTING UNDER WAY: HANDLING

42

BASIC PILOTAGE: NAVIGATION

54

ANCHORING

66

MOORING AND DOCKING

76

ABITOFABLOW

84

SAFETY ATSEA

92

RULES OF THE ROAD

100

FLAGS AND THEIR USES

104

EMERGENCY!

106

MEDICAL FACTORS AND FIRST AID

116

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

120

ENGINES AND POWER-PLANTS

130

TENDERS AND DINGHIES

138

INDEX

143

SET SAIL

6

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION Th c sailing-boat is an almost perfect invention. of wind and does

sea, creating

this is a

a

uses the natural forces

How

order and direction front relative chaos.

matter of great concern to the

theory behind

It

sailor:

it

by understanding the

boat’s performance he or she can handle any eventuality

on the open water.

The rewards of a good sailor’s endeavors are the sense of control attained when the boat performs flawlessly, the perfection of balance between natural

forces,

which Sailing

is

and the sheer beauty et the environment all

in

this activity takes place.

also a high-level sport.

At the top end

requires

it

much

in the

way of equipment — and knowledge of that equipment — to master. Unlike athletics or swimming, both ot which rely almost solely on muscular activity and endurance, sailing in addition demands considerable powers of concentration with which to be aware of the wind and the weather, the condition and performance of the boat, the location and activities of other boats, and the dynamics of the water. Moreover, there are the necessary for real safety

‘rules

at sea.

of the road’ and other precautions

Navigation

is

a basic skill that, in theory,

may turn out to be in practice. Differences between one boat and another may also cause unexpected problems. In all this, however, virtually all difficulties may be overcome through persistence

is

not

as difficult as

it

and patience. Sailing

is

an enormously satisfying pastime with

messing about

in small boats, to a five-year cruise

from the Saturday afternoon club

race to a full

many

facets,

from

around-the-world;

blown ocean

race such as

the classic Fastnet. Sailing has a niche for everyone and barriers are few.

the cradle to old agejust

You

by adapting the type of sailing

from you do. Nor do can

sail

you have to be wealthy to enjoy sailing. You can buy a small cruiser new or secondhand for the price of a car in the drive. Larger boats might cost what you would pay for your home, but whereas there are more and more

who

can afford such

craft, there is also

The fundamentals of sailing remain your intended

craft.

Whether you

steps, selecting basic

embarking on

a

an increasing

the

same

demand

for crew.

regardless ot the size of

arc taking those first tentative sailing

equipment, racing for the

family cruise, practical guidance

not absolutely essential.

7

is

first

time or

always helpful -

it

L

SET SAIL

GLOSSARY A

bottlescrew threaded rigging

does not pivot

screw

dead reckoning process of

abaft behind

bow

abeam

bower anchor

right-angles to the

at

forward part ot the boat used

center-line

bow

about, going changing

anchor chain runs

by crossing the wind

direction

bow-first

ahull to drift

with

with no

sails set, to

sails furled

and helm

secured

angel weight suspended on anchor cable apparent wind true wind speed and direction modified by boat’s

the

bow

roller fitting over which

bowsprit spar projecting trom the

lie

at

bow

small open boat for

reefing

douse to drop sails quickly dow nhaul control rope to pull

buoy

floating object for

pennant

backwards athwartships

C

rowing,

etc.

displacement weight of water equal to the weight ot the boat; the boat’s weight

down

a

spar or

downwind

flag,

sail

to leeward; to sail

before the wind

draft sec draught at

nght-angles to

the fore-and-aft line

cable chain or rope attached to

anchor

B backstay stay supporting the mast from aft ballast weight used to add

catamaran twin-hulled vessel centreboard metal or wooden board lowered through the keel to stop

leeway

draught depth of boat from bottom of keel to waterline; amount of camber (curve) in a sail

drogue

sea

anchor made trom

rope and cloth to retard

drift

E

centreline fore-and-aft line

stability

bare poles under way with no sails set

wood

or plastic

beam maximum

running through the middle axis

ease decrease the pressure on

of the boat chain plate metal

sail

chart navigational

width; an

object at right-angles to the

only

middle of the boat

clear air

away

to turn

away from

map

used

wind unaffected by

other yachts or objects

is

beat to

close-hauled

sailing against the

wind

after

corner of sail

sailing as close as

on, fasten

coaming

around the cockpit

and around the keel where water

companionway

curved part of the hull

wind buoy

soft plastic

cockpit well

access

on

a chart

from

deck to cabin

a tight

zigzag pattern

flood

a tide

coming

in:

the

opposite of ’ebb’ fluke part ot an anchor designed

below the waterline

compass

bi-light navigation light

instrument for determining

foot bottom edge ot

showing two functions

geographical directions

fore forward

ship’s

binnacle container for the compass

produced by magnetic forces of

bitter-end the end of the rope

deviation and variation

which is not made fast block pulley around which

cringle eyelet in comer of a

rope or wire runs

more than one headsail and with

bollard short post around

the mast right amidships

which ropes

to

flake to lay out rope or chain in

in deck where helmsman and crew work

on board

fender

fix boat’s position as established

raised superstructure

bilge part inside the hull above

to sleep

direction of the

fetch to reach towards the wind

bend on

moored; place

line

beating

close reach see reach

is

of rope or

off turn away trom the

protect side of vessel

a line fast

berth place where boat

direction

possible to the wind, as in

by tacking belay make tie

nationality

true direction

F

fall

clew bottom

close-hauled

showing

fairlead fitting which guides

secured

bearing the direction of an object from the observer sail

flag

eye of the wind of the wind

a

at sea

cleat fitting around which rope

wind

beating

ensign

fitting to

hold the shrouds

stiffening in leech

collects;

produced by magnetic disturbances aboard ship sailing,

astern behind the boat; moving

the

deviation compass error

dinghy

mooring or navigation burgee small masthead

bear

by

course, speed, and distance run

broach turn sideways to the wind and waves broad reach sec reach bunt fold of sail resulting trom

movement

batten

predicting and fixing position

navigational

compass error combined

to pierce the sea-bed

error

sail

are secured

D

controlling mainsail foot

daggerboard centreboard

8

fore-and-aft lengthwise

fore-and-aft rig

sails set in a

fore-and-aft line: not square-

cutter single-masted boat with

boom wooden or metal spar

sail

that

rigged

foremast mast nearest the bow forestay stay supporting the

mast from forward freeboard height of a yacht from waterline to deck edge furl tightly roll up a sail

GLOSSARY G

jib headsail set forward of the

lug fore-and-aft

mast

that partly projects

gaff spar supporting the top of

jury improvised, temporarily

the mainsail

replacing

galley compact kitchen aboard

equipment

damaged or missing

with

yard

a

forward of

the mast

LWL

length

at the

waterline

M

a vessel

genoa

sail

large headsail

K

which

overlaps the front of the mainsail

magnetic north

gooseneck

which the needle of a magnetic compass points mainmast principal mast on a

between

kedge

universal joint

boom

goosewing

sailing

a

back-up anchor smaller

than the main one

and mast

downwind

with mainsail to leeward and

keel a

fin

or fins

at the

bottom of

boat used to carry ballast and

direction in

boat

offer lateral resistance against

mainsail principal

leeway

the mast

ground tackle anchor and

ketch twin-masted vessel with mizzen mast ahead of rudder

mainsheet main boom

chain

post

make

windward

headsail to

grommet

rope or brass ring

a sail or piece

gudgeon

a

in

of canvas

rudder support

gunwales upper edges of a boat’s sides

guy steadying rope for a spar gybe to tack with the stern of

boom; vang knot one nautical mile

race

(1,852

15 feet) per

1

hour

the yacht passing through the

wind

lanyard short

making halyard rope used lower a sail

hank

fitting

to hoist

and

used to attach

sail

hard chines

of bottom

intersection

straight sides with a

flat

hatch covered opening

in the

deck for feeding the

anchor chain through the foredeck to

heads

its

locker below

toilet facilities

headsail

sail

forward of the

mast attached to the forestay

headway forward movement

a

a

triangular

yard hoisted to

boat to prevent

its

after

edge of a

helm tendency of a away from

boat to

wind lee shore shore on to which the wind is blowing leeward away from the wind, down wind leeway sideways slipping of a boat due to wind pressure from bear

hull the

keep

a

person afloat

in

water

length overall

LoRaN

document of record

long-range navigation

system based on the measure-

ment of the

difference in time of

reception of signals from a pair

of shore transmitters

I

two anchors

than one hull (eg catamaran,

N nautical mile 1,852 metres/ 6,076.

1

15 feet (see also

knot)

navel pipe see hawsepipe

neap tide

of two month

either

tides in a lunar

least

to

log distance-measuring device; navigator’s

body of a boat

to

O worn

life-jacket garment

LOA

hike to lean over the high side of a boat when it is heeling

lie

the

harness or a boat for safety

tiller

fixed point; to

multihull vessel with more

sail

heel leaning of a vessel to one

wheel or

from the top of the mast the after mast or sail in ketch or yawl rig monohull vessel with one hull moor to tie up a vessel to a

trimaran)

leech

lifeline line attached to a

a boat;

of a

drifting to

backed to windward

due to wind or sea

the top of the mast

rig rig in which jibs

leeward

the opposite side

helm means of steering

sail

a

side

of a boat heave-to position used in heavy weather with the jib

side

which the

and rigging are attached

mizzen

objects secure

low mast leeboard board on the

lee

hawsepipe pipe

vertical spar to

a

are set light line for

lateen rig with secured to

luff to a stay

mast

up

course-marker during

masthead masthead

L

H

mark

sails

line that controls the

rig triangular fore-

and-att rig

metres/6,076.

on

fast secure a line; tie

Marconi

kicking strap tackle used to upward pull of the

control

sail set

offshore some distance away

from land off the wind sailing downwind one-design class of boat constructed to identical design

on the wind

beating, close-

hauled

outhaul rope used to tension the foot of a sail overhangs the ends of a boat above the waterline

lubberline compass mark

inshore sheltered waters close

indicating fore-and-aft

to the coast

luff front edge of sail; to steer

P

into the wind; to get so close to i

the

jackstay wire span attached to

forestay into

wind

that the sail flaps

luff foil metal spar around a the deck, to

which

safety

harnesses can in turn be attached

which

sails

are fed

luff groove slot to hold either luff foil or

mast

9

sail in

painter

line for

securing the

bow of a dinghy pilot documentary guide

containing navigation and

harbour-approach information etc.

SET

pintle metal pin on which the

hung plot mark the course or position on a chart point direction on the compass rudder

is

card

wind when

beating

point of sailing boat’s heading

wind

relative to the

pontoon

direction

when looking forward port tack when a boat

boom

with the main

and the wind

L

shank long

samson post

stout post

on the

sheave grooved wheel

sandbar ridge of sand

wire turns

in a river

at

low

sheet rope for trimming

tide

schooner sailing boat with two or more masts in which the mainmast is behind at least one

a sail

shroud(s) fixed rigging to support the mast athwartships

smaller mast

skeg part of hull supporting the leading edge of the rudder

scope length of rope or chain

sloop single-masted

when anchoring

scull to propel a boat

sails

sea

anchor

by means

snatch block single block with a latched

snub

floating object

streamed from the

bow

with

rig

mainsail and headsail

of one oar over the stern

to starboard

in a

block, around which the rope or

are attached

paid out

hits the port side

arm of an

central

anchor

foredeck to which mooring lines

a floatingjetty

port left-hand side of a vessel

A

S

or sea, often exposed

pointing boat’s heading relative to the

S

to hold a

bring

boat to the wind

opening on one side

to pull in a rope so as to it

sound

briefly

under tension

to determine the depth of

first

pulpit metal guardrail

seacock valve through the for taking in water and

at the

bow

water beneath a vessel;

hull

discharging waste

Q-flag yellow rectangular International

Code

Flag

which

spar pole, mast or supports

shackle metal joining-link with

spinnaker triangular

screw-in pin

front

quarter portion of a vessel stern

R rake slope away from the vertical either

of a mast or of the

bows

RDF

radio direction finding

reach to

sail at

more or wind

less

right-angles to the broad reach: to

wind

abaft the

sail

with the

beam and with

the sails well out

on the quarter

close reach: to sail

nearly close-

hauled with sheetsjust eased

reaching the

sailing on a tack with wind roughly abeam

reef to reduce the area of sail

reef pendant

down

line

used to pull

a reef

regatta series of boat races rig

sails,

their

spars and rigging, and

arrangement

rigging ropes and wire a

stays

of

boat I

roach curved section at the leech of a sail rode anchor cable rowlocks crutches on the gunwale that hold the oars when

II

in use

rudder

vertical metal or

wooden

plate attached at the

stem, whose movements steer the boat

run to sail with the wind aft running rigging ropes or wires used to set and adjust

boom

grips the rope automatically

requesting customs clearance

between beam and

sails

1

body of

island or offshore bar

self-tailer type of winch

Q

a

water partly enclosed by an

0

1

that

a sail

of the forestay

sail set in

GLOSSARY spreader

strut at the side

of the

mast to accept compression exerted by the shrouds spring

a

warp used

to resist

movement of a

fore-and-aft

moored boat sprit spar projecting diagonally

from the mast and-aft

storm jib used

in

storm

small

sail at

bow

the

true

wind wind

direction

heavy seas

without taking into account the

trysail small but heavy

movement of the boat

mainsail used in stormy weather

trysail small storm

swinging the compass determining the amount of compass error on all headings

the mast

sail set

turnbuckle threaded

abaft

screw-

used to maintain correct tension

on standing rigging; bottlescrew

to extend the fore-

T

sail

spritsail sail extended or rigged

tack bottom front corner of a

from

sail;

a sprit

from one

to turn a boat

U

side

squall sudden storm resulting

of the wind to the other;

uphaul

trom extreme thermal

diagonal of a zigzag course into

spar

the

conditions

square rig square

sails

extended

line for hauling

up

a

wind

tacking working

to

windward

V

by yards set across the boat stanchion metal post at the

close-hauled

deck edge to support guardrails

tailing pulling

or lifelines

the

standing rigging fixed shrouds

tender small dinghy; tending to

variation difference between

or stays of

heel easily

true and magnetic north

a

boat

winch

is

on

a sheet

while

manually operated

starboard right-hand side of a

topping

when looking forward starboard tack when a boat

masthead used to support the

vessel

sails

with

wind

its

boom

to port

and

vang tackle used to control upward pull of the boom;

taffrail guardrail at the stern

line

lift

kicking strap

from the

W

boom transit the lining

up

of

two

warp

long rope for mooring

objects

boat

stays wires or ropes used to

transom after part of the hull between the waterline and deck

boat to steer into the wind

support the mast longitudinally

level

winch mechanical

on a stay inboard of the forwardmost sail steerageway the slowest speed at which a boat can operate while

traveller track for adjusting the

hauling

position of the mainshcet

athwartships

windlass mechanical device hauling in the anchor chain

tri-light navigation light

windward upwind of the

the

hits

the starboard side

first

staysail

still

sail set

trim

under control

stem

the hull at the bow-

step piece of

wood or

metal that

weather helm tendency of a

in sheets

device for

or halyards for

vessel

to adjust a sail or the

flotation of

a

way

sits in

a

boat

Y

sailing craft; the

holds the heel of the mast

tripping line

stern the after end of

release an

a vessel

a

the water

line to

anchor or

remotely

a fitting

sternway backward movement

true north exact geographical

of a boat

north

yard spar used

to suspend a

square or lateen

sail

(LEFT) On like

a fairly calm day, the balloon-

shape of these colorful spinnakers makes

the most of the available wind.

SET

S

A

L

CHAPTER ONE

TYPES OF SAILING BOAT t is

well

known

that the early Polynesians used sail

extensively on their dugouts and outriggers and even on their large ocean-voyaging war canoes. Much of the Pacific was settled in these vessels long

power

before the European explorers arrived, and possibly long

before anvone in Europe had the technology to wander to see farther than the next inshore bay.

An

evolution of sail.

Coracle (2).

Dugout

Roman galley

1

1

).