There are several maneuvers that you do each time you hit the water. These are setting, jibing, tacking, and dousing the kite. Nonetheless, there are some less common skills when required; you should be able to execute it flawlessly. Here is a list of such skills that most of the teams do not practice on a regular basis but are important to be executed.
Man overboard
It is necessary to make sure that the skipper has the handle on the maneuver along with the rest of the team. You need to ask yourself what is the procedure to follow the moment an emergency is announced? In this case, each team needs to have a different plan. However, each of them should include the essentials.
- A person has to point and avoid taking their eyes from the sailor overboard.
- Decide as soon as you can if you require extra assistance from the emergency services or from the other boats.
- There should be a plan to get the sailors out of the water onto the boat.
- Floatation needs to be there for throwing the sailors, particularly if they aren’t wearing a lifejacket.
As soon as you have the plan, you need to start practicing it with different crews.
Steering with sails
Irrespective of whether you have to check if the sail trim is balanced or you have lost the rudder, the guys at Yacht Charter Lefkas always say that it’s important to know how you will be able to steer the boat using your valuable skills.
Headsail change
It is quite common to experience a change in the weather as soon as you lose sight or mooring or hit the race course. Hence, you need to know how to manage the changes in headsails with the practice tack and set-up along with the in-line changes.
Depowering the full-size sails
As the wind comes up, you have to know how you will be able to keep your boat afloat. You have to know if you to ease the traveler or mainsheet. Also, it is necessary to know whether you have to put on the backstays on not. Keep in mind that there no answer that is one-size-fits-all. This is because every boat has been set-up differently. You have to ensure that the crew is aware of their respective roles and what they should do when there is a big puff.
Putting a reef
At times, cracking on the backstay and then just moving the jib cars isn’t enough. No one is going to have when as the leeward is dragged in water. You need to assign roles and make sure that everyone is aware of the procedure. This appears to be more important with limited communication because of a rough condition,
Sailing to anchoring and mooring
Irrespective of whether you are taking your small racer or overnight camping, the last thing that you would want to experience is not being able to find or hook up the mooring. At times, the safety of the free moorings is questionable. Hence, you need to be ready and check the chain. Also, set up an anchor light. In case the mooring is not an option, you need to ensure that you can anchor safely.